KOTA KINABALU: A proposal by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan to celebrate Sabah Day on Aug 31 next year will be significant for the people in the state.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) senior lecturer Professor Dr Lee Kuok Tiung said it will be very valuable for Sabahans just like how Sarawak declared July 22 as its Independence Day.
"Indirectly, it will help teach our younger generation about Sabah's history and the formation of the Federal of Malaysia," he said.
Sabah's last British governor Sir William Goode had declared Aug 31 as the end of colonisation where the state would be self-governing and independent.
The state legislative council had also unanimously adopted the resolution on Aug 8,1963 that Sabah would be independent on Aug 31 regardless of whether the formation of Malaysia came into being that day.
The formation of Malaysia was delayed to Sept 16 while waiting for results of a United Nations referendum among the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
As to whether Jeffrey would get the support from the state assembly, Lee said it would depend on how the Tambunan assemblyman convinced other elected representatives.
The Sabah Legislative assembly comprises 39 assemblymen from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, 30 opposition, three independents, six appointed lawmakers and one vacant seat for Bugaya.
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