While Aug 31 is meaningful to West Malaysians as Merdeka Day marking the gaining of independence in 1957, it is a different story for Sabahans like Johan Arriffin Samad, the ex-CEO of Sabah’s Institute for Development Studies.

“Merdeka Day has no historical significance for us in East Malaysia. That’s Malaya’s independence and has nothing to do with our history,” he told FMT.

Aug 31 was previously known as the North Borneo Self-Government Day to mark the end of British colonial rule in 1963. Just 16 days later, Sabah would join Singapore and Sarawak in becoming part of Malaysia.

“We should be celebrating Malaysia Day, so this move (to recognise Sabah Day) is not really significant. But it’s sending a message that we want to be a truly independent state, not necessarily secede from Malaysia.

“We want to have autonomy to decide our own education, policies, to have better hospitals, better roads and infrastructure,” he said.

“That is why people in Peninsular Malaysia don’t understand why we put Sabahans first. It’s because the West Malaysians don’t treat us as part of Malaysia.”

Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor made the declaration at a recent state Cabinet meeting that Aug 31 would be gazetted as Sabah Day beginning this year, with its inaugural celebration held in Tambunan.

The highlight of the festivities will be the raising of Sabah’s original flag, which was in use between 1963 and 1982.

It is intended that this event will be celebrated annually with rotating venues.