KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor called on Malaysians to continue safeguarding peace and to make Malaysia Day a starting point to work harder so that progress and prosperity can continue to be enjoyed together.
“In Sabah, the spirit of unity and mutual respect among the various communities continues to be given priority. Differences in traditions and cultures do not prevent the people of the State from continuing to live in peace and harmony,” he said.
Malaysia Day is celebrated every year on Sept 16 as a historic occasion that reminds everyone of the formation of a sovereign nation that brought together people from different regions, races, cultures and religions into one country called Malaysia, he added.
“It is this diversity that is Malaysia’s strength and unites us as one family. Let us continue to nurture the spirit of consensus, mutual respect and cooperation for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Malaysia,” he said at the national-level 63rd Malaysia Day celebration at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching tonight.
“May Malaysia in general and Sabah in particular continue to enjoy peace and prosperity, bringing the nation to greater heights of success in all fields. Let us celebrate Malaysia Day with a strong spirit of patriotism so that harmony among people of various races and religions will continue to be preserved and sustained,” he said.
Meanwhile, at the Sabah-level Malaysia Day celebration in Kota Kinabalu, Hajiji stressed that all of Sabah’s rights and interests under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) would continue to be pursued and realised through close cooperation with the Federal Government.
The Chief Minister’s speech was delivered by Deputy Chief Minister I/Works and Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Head of State Tun Musa Aman and Toh Puan Faridah Tussin.
He said Malaysia Day provided an opportunity for the people to appreciate Sabah’s position in the Federation of Malaysia, particularly in relation to MA63 and the Federal Constitution, which form an important foundation for relations between Sabah and the Federation.
Therefore, he said the State Government would remain consistent in defending Sabah’s interests and rights through constitutional channels, negotiations and inter-governmental cooperation.
“We believe that strong Federal relations are built on mutual respect, fairness and a willingness to fulfil agreed responsibilities.
“Fighting for Sabah’s rights does not mean distancing Sabah from Malaysia. On the contrary, it is part of efforts to strengthen the foundations of the Federation so that every partner feels respected, every responsibility is fulfilled and every citizen benefits from a stable and prosperous Malaysia,” he said at the celebration at the Sabah International Convention Centre tonight.
Hajiji said that after 63 years since the formation of Malaysia, Sept 16 remained profoundly significant, as the nation was founded on agreement, diversity and a determination to move forward together as one sovereign Federation.
“For us in Sabah, Sept 16 is especially meaningful because it created strong bonds of brotherhood amid our diversity of race, culture and belief. Malaysia’s strength lies in the harmony of its people.
He said Sabah itself was an example of strength born from diversity.
“We must continue to preserve this culture of consensus. Differences of opinion should not become a divide that separates us. In the era of social media, we must also be wiser in assessing information, rejecting slander and divisive sentiments, and using technology to bring communities closer together and open up new opportunities,” he said.
In this context, he said the younger generation had a major responsibility to carry the spirit of Malaysia Day into the future.
Hajiji said young people must be equipped with knowledge, skills, confidence and opportunities to create, while also understanding history, appreciating heritage and recognising that independence and nation-building come with the responsibility to safeguard peace, preserve unity and uphold sovereignty.
The Chief Minister said the theme of the 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations, “Malaysia MADANI: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati” (Malaysia MADANI: Shared Prosperity), conveyed a clear message of the Government’s aspiration to ensure that the benefits of the country’s progress, development and prosperity are enjoyed fairly, inclusively and equitably by all people regardless of background or place of residence.
“In this regard, it is clear that progress is not sufficient if it is only reflected in figures and buildings; rather, progress must be felt in the daily lives of the people.
“For Sabah, well-being also means continuing to narrow the development gap between urban and rural areas, improving connectivity and expanding economic opportunities down to the grassroots.
“However, well-being can only be sustained in an atmosphere of peace and unity. That is why unity must not merely be a slogan during celebrations; unity is a prerequisite for stability, investment, development and the future of our children,” he said.
“We want Sabah to continue progressing within a prosperous and thriving Malaysia. The State Government will continue to play its role in providing an environment conducive to development, including strengthening infrastructure, improving service delivery and enhancing the well-being of the people,” he said.-pr/BNN
