The annals of history will show that 31 August 1957 is the Independence Day of Malaya and Malaysia did not exist then as Malaysia was only formed on 16 September 1963 and it was never colonized or granted any independence by the British or any other colonial master.
Edward added that “a thorough check on the annals of Sabah's history will show that on 8 August 1963, the North Borneo Legislative Council unanimously adopted the motion and declared that Sabah will be independent on 31 August 1963 regardless of whether Malaysia happens or not.”
While it may be the intention of the British colonial masters and the Malayan leaders at the signing of MA63 on 9 July 1963 intending Malaysia Day to be 31 August 1963, that intention was scuppered and overturned by subsequent intervening events not envisaged on 8 July 1963.
The first super-intervening event was the declaration of independence by the North Borneo Legislative Council on 8 August 1963.
It was followed by another super-intervening event, the postponement of Malaysia Day to 16 September 1963 when MA63 was amended by a Supplemental Agreement signed on 29 August 1963 by all the signatories to MA63.
Then came the granting of self-government and recognition of independence by the British on 31 August 2018. This event was recognised by the British government and declared by the last British Governor of North Borneo to be the end of colonialism and the beginning of Sabah's independence.
“These are true events of history that can never be erased and are of paramount importance to determine Sabah’s history which Shafie himself acknowledged that Malaysians should know the true history,” added Edward.
The North Borneo declaration of independence is similar to the American Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776. However, unlike North Borneo/Sabah, USA was not granted self-government on 4 July 1776 and were in the midst of civil war against the British. The US government then was the colonial government of Britain and the USA Declaration of Independence was not recognised by the British.
The Independence of Sabah on 31 August 1963 is as valid and legal as the acceptance of the Independence of USA on 4 July 1776.
Of course, detractors including Malayan leaders with ulterior, neo-colonialism intention and condescending colonial mindset, say that there is a need for a separate Independence Act. This is purely to control the mindset of Sabahans and such an independence act is not only unnecessary but such a stand is not true. These detractors should also then ask all freely independent nations in the world, including the USA and neighbouring newly independent Timor Leste, to revert to their colonial masters for having no separate Independence Acts.
For Sabah's sake and a better future and if he truly believes in his own “Sabah for Sabahans” motto, Shafie should learn to adopt an independent, non-subservient and free from a Malayan-moulded mindset.
For a start and be rid of being afraid of his political masters in Kuala Lumpur, Shafie should officially recognise 31 August as the Independence Day of Sabah as fearlessly done by Tan Sri Adenan Satem as Chief Minister of Sarawak in 2016. CM Adenan despite being under then BN declared 22 July as the Independence Day of Sarawak and officially known as Sarawak Day and gazetted as a Sarawak State holiday.
If Shafie is afraid then he can table a motion in the State Assembly at its next sitting on 13 August to officially recognise 31 Aug as the Independence Day of Sabah and known as Sabah Day and declare it to be a Sabah State holiday.
Officially recognizing 31 August as Sabah Day and the Independence Day of Sabah will create a sense of belonging for all Malaysians in Sabah and celebrating it as a public holiday will add to the pride of being Sabahans in Malaysia. This is unlike 31 August 1957 which is actually the Independence Day of Malaya and holds no significance in Sabah or Sarawak which recognizes 16 September 1963 as Malaysia Day and the birth of Malaysia.
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