SAPP deputy president Japiril Suhaimin, who was twice the organising chairman for his party’s Sabah Day celebrations in 2015 and 2017, said this would be in line with the federal government’s promise of restoring Sabah’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

He said it would also “clarify some issues and debates” related to Sabah’s independence on Aug 31, 1963 from the British before it formed the Federation of Malaysia on Sept 16 the same year with Malaya and Sarawak.

“Sarawak has gazetted Sarawak Day (July 22). Now is the time for Sabah to do the same,” he said in a statement.

Kitingan, who is deputy chief minister, said last week that he had prepared a Cabinet paper proposing that Aug 31 be gazetted as Sabah Day. One of the main annual celebrations for his party, the Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), has been Sabah Day.

The Keningau MP said the state wanted to recognise Aug 31 as Sabah Day to celebrate its day of independence instead of National Day which celebrates Malaya’s independence from the British.

Japiril said the term “Sabah Day” became popular again around 2012 when the Progressive Institute of Public Policy Analysis (PIPPA) held several forums to discuss independence and the direction of Sabah.

He said later the same year, SAPP held a massive celebration at Chong Thien Vun Park here.

“This will create a spirit of patriotism among the people. The gazetting of Sabah Day should be considered an important issue and should get unanimous support from the Sabah state assembly,” he said.

Japiril added that such a celebration might also help to dismiss notions that Sabah belonged to the Sulu sultanate and halt the Philippines’ claim over the state.