He said both states were poor but became richer than other states in the peninsula after the formation of Malaysia in 1963.

“This is the result of cooperation (among the states),” said Mahathir, 96, who served as both the fourth and seventh prime minister.

In an interview with Great People Television on Facebook Live, titled “Leadership Reflections and Perceptions with Dr Mahathir Mohamad”, he said Malaysia Day should be celebrated on Sept 16 with the knowledge of sacrifices made for the sake of unity.

He said the country’s official name of “Tanah Melayu” had to be given up and changed to Malaysia, but the identity of the Malays was still strong.

Mahathir expressed regret that some people had brought up ideas like “Sarawak for Sarawakians” and “Sabah for Sabahans”, and said they need to think of themselves as Malaysians first.