Malaysia marks its birthday today with Bintulu town all geared up to host the celebrations.

For residents here, the venue is significant because the town with its 500,000 residents evolved from a small fishing enclave in the 1960s to become one of Sarawak’s most vibrant towns with the discovery of oil and gas.

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri James Jemut Masing said Bintulu was chosen because the state’s first legislative assembly sitting was held here on Sept 8, 1867.

This was during the reign of the White Rajahs in the state.

“To me, this is also a momentous date in our history and of great historical significance,” he said.

He said Malaysia Day was the day when Malaysia was formed.

“Malaysia was formed on Sept 16, 1963. This is very significant for Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. I hope that for every Malaysian too, the date is of utmost importance,” Bernama quoted Ma­­sing as saying.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will attend a gathering here as the climax of the Malaysia Day celebration.

Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said Sabahans should not allow themselves to be swayed by those who were out to sow tensions and disunity between Malaysians in the state and those from the peninsula.

He said Malaysians could not afford to let disunity harm what the nation was built on.

“We must not succumb to their plan,” he said in his Malaysia Day message.

“I also wish to assure that the Sabah government is working close­­ly with the Federal Government in ensuring that our requests are heard and that development is distributed fairly.

“We enjoy a good relationship with the Federal Government, which is always keen to learn how it can become a better partner to us here,” he said.

He said he was proud that Sabah remained a fine example of how people of different communities and faiths could live together in harmony.

Source:
courtesy of THE STAR

by The Star Online

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