“It’s better late than never….”. With these words, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hj Hajiji Hj Noor officiated the second official Sabah Day celebration in Tambunan on August 31, 2023 some 60 years after the first one in 1963. Why only second? Well, you see, just 16 days after August 31, 1963 Sabah became part of Malaysia.
Hajiji, Jeffrey at Sabah Day in Tambunan.With these words, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hj Hajiji Hj Noor officiated the second official Sabah Day celebration in Tambunan on August 31, 2023 some 60 years after the first one in 1963. Why only second? Well, you see, just 16 days after August 31, 1963 Sabah became part of Malaysia.
Nothing much happened during the short “reign” of Muhyiddin’s successor, Datuk Seri Ismail Yaacob either. To be fair, when Tun Dr Mahathir was PM for the second time between 2018 to 2020, he did initiate moves towards reviving the spirit of MA63, referring to the Malaysia Agreement signed in 1963. But he too lost his job before anything solid materialized.
BN or rather Umno ruled Malaysia until 2018. Before that, it was sensitive to raise issue like MA63 or the 40%. Those brave enough to raise the issues better be prepared to face the consequences. The Internal Security Act or better known as ISA was still around then. Following September 16 being declared a Malaysia Day holiday, the Sabah Governor’s birthday was moved to the first Saturday of October. Coming back to Sabah Day, I understand that it may soon be gazetted by the State Government.
Until the fall of the BN government , not many Sabah politicians would champion things like MA63 or 40% or Sabah rights. This is only possible with a strong or powerful State Government. But the real credit should perhaps go to Jeffrey for his insistence and hard work since before. Also, early Independence fighters like Sundang was from Keningau. Incidentally, Jeffrey is both Tambunan Assemblyman and Keningau MP.
I think they are referring to the timber concessions that YS controls. Jeffrey was still YS director when he was arrested under ISA soon after the 1990 State election followed by Federal elections. PBS was still in BN then and won the State election easily. At the time of Jeffrey’s arrest, the PBS MPs were Opposition MPs in Parliament. It was the season of ISA arrests and many PBS MPs were wondering if they would be next. As such, most of them kept quiet although Parliament was in session then.
However, the ‘Never Say Die’ Dompok found a way to deliver his speech later the same day when he participated in the Debate on the King’s Policy Speech while declaring the Parliament Session open. Remember, this was the season of ISA arrests and every PBS leader would be wondering who would be next. They believed that the authorities had a shopping list. I became frightened and hoped that Dompok would not read the speech.
Mind you, as Dompok was speaking Mahathir was staring at him angrily from across the floor. Dompok was then seated among Opposition MPs who included DAP and PAS. All sorts of thoughts came across my mind. Those days there was no hand phone yet. Jeffrey finally settled down in his own party, STAR which initially was part of the Sarawak Star. It is now on its own. In fact, Jeffrey has joined so many parties that he was branded “King of Sabah Frogs”.
Among the few thousand people present that day, Jeffrey must have been the most satisfied or proudest.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Deputy minister: SK Malaing first location in Sabah to get high-spec internet services via StarlinkPENSIANGAN, Sept 9 ― The residents of Kampung Malaing here are excited and satisfied with the internet access provided through the Starlink device installed by the Ministry of...
Read more »
Austin: Malaysia Day as significant as National Day, should be appreciated by allKUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia Day is as significant as National Day and should be appreciated by all Malaysians regardless of their race, religion and politi...
Read more »
Gagasan Rakyat spreads its wings to Labuan: HajijiKota Kinabalu: Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) is spreading its wings to Labuan, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor who is also the party’s President.
Read more »
Census time: Upcoming research will determine orang utan, pygmy elephant numbers in SabahKOTA KINABALU: Efforts are in the pipeline to ascertain the Bornean pygmy elephant and orang utan populations in Sabah.
Read more »
Pembangunan Sabah dapat dipercepat susulan lawatan AgongDatuk Seri Hajiji Noor yakin proses pembangunan di negeri dipercepatkan susulan lawatan Kembara Kenali Borneo Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Read more »
Agong jamin masalah rakyat Sabah disampaikan kepada Perdana MenteriKembara Kenali Borneo yang diketuai Yang di-Pertuan Agong bermula dan berakhir dengan linangan air mata Raja Permaisuri Agong
Read more »