September 16 1963 birth of Federation of Malaysia

September 16 (or 916) is most significant date in the history of Malaysia and must be remembered and appreciated always by us and the future generations because on this auspicious date Sabah and Sarawak successfully formed the Federation of Malaysia together with Malaya.

"So it is an important date not only for the people in Sabah and Sarawak but also in Peninsular Malaysia," Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said when launching the inaugural Malaysia Day celebration at Padang Merdeka, Kota Kinabalu on Saturday night. The celebration graced by Head of State Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah was jointly-organised by the Ministry of Unity, Culture, Art and Heritage and the State Government.

Abdullah said the celebration was postponed to Oct. 18 this year since Sept. 16 falls during the fasting month. "God willing, the celebration would (again) be held on Sept. 16 next year," he said.

The Prime Minister said the post-independence generation must never forget the sacrifice of the past leaders in achieving the independence for the country.

Related posts:
* Singapore History - In and Out of Malaysia
* Lest We Forget - It’s September 16

Suggested reading:
* 42 Commando RM - Sarawak July - October 1963

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From Daily Express News

16 Sept important: PM

Kota Kinabalu: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the Federal Government recognises September 16 as an important and auspicious date that must be remembered by all Malaysians.

He said Sept. 16 is not merely the day to close the Merdeka month but much more than that, it marked the day the Federation of Malaysia was formed.

"So it is an important date not only for the people in Sabah and Sarawak but also in Peninsular Malaysia," he said when launching the inaugural Malaysia Day celebration at Padang Merdeka on Saturday night. The celebration graced by Head of State Tun Ahmadshah Abdullah was jointly-organised by the Ministry of Unity, Culture, Art and Heritage and the State Government.

Abdullah said the celebration was postponed to Oct. 18 this year since Sept.

16 falls during the fasting month. "God willing, the celebration would (again) be held on Sept. 16 next year," he said.

The Prime Minister said the post-independence generation must never forget the sacrifice of the past leaders in achieving the independence for the country.

"Tengku Abdul Rahman Al Haj, Tun Mustapha and many more we must appreciate their contribution," he said. Malaysia also managed to wade through the challenges such as communism and Indonesian confrontation early in its years as an independent country.

"We are not a race that never been tested before. We have been tested in many ways including our economy but it has been proven that we have the capability to overcome all these problems," he said.

The theme, "Unity, The Thrust to Success" is appropriate, he said, adding, however that such a strong unity is not that easy to achieve, especially in a multi-racial country like Malaysia.

But, the tolerance and understanding spirit of all the people who rejected all negative values that could lead to split had further strengthened the bond of unity, he said. "We want to live together in peace and harmony."

Meanwhile, Minister of Unity, Culture, Art and Heritage, Datuk Abdul Shafie Apdal said Padang Merdeka was chosen as it is closely related with the formation of Federation of Malaysia.

He said it was imperative to preserve the unity and consensus spirit, as it is the thrust to the country's harmony in order to face future challenges.

"In order to mould a united race it must be based on patriotism and utmost loyalty to the country," he said, adding that it was important for all not to take actions into their own hand that it would hurt the sensitivities of others.

Also on hand were foreign envoys who took time off from the Sabah International Expo (SIE) 2008 to attend the Malaysia Day celebration, ministers and elected representatives.

The people were treated to cultural show and performance of local artistes like Stacy AF, Jacyln Victor, Rem, Din Bisa, Ikhwal and others.

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From Daily Express News

CM: Day M'sia formed must be remembered

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the Malaysia Day celebration should be maintained as among ways to remember and appreciate the formation of the Federation of Malaysia.

"The State Government and all Sabahans hope that the name Malaysia Day celebration like what we are celebrating tonight be maintained to commemorate the formation of our beloved sovereign country," he said.

He said the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963 was a historic moment that brought significant meaning to the people of Malaysia, especially in Sabah.

"It is most significant and must be remembered and appreciated always by us and the future generations because on this auspicious date Sabah and Sarawak successfully formed the Federation of Malaysia together with Malaya," he said at the Malaysia Day celebration in conjunction with 51st National Day at Padang Merdeka here.

Towards this end, he called on the multi-racial and ethnic people in Sabah to further strengthen the unity spirit and harmony among themselves.

"I believe that strong unity of the Sabah people will contribute further and be more meaningful to the overall unity of the nation," he said.

Musa said the fact that the formation of Malaysia had brought about benefit to the people in the country through stable politics, social prosperity and economic progress.

The continuous good relations between the State and Federal governments is not only translated through the distribution of big allocations but also as the catalyst to stimulate more effective development to the whole State, he said.

In this context, the State Government also emphasised on the holistic approach in the planning and implementation of development agenda for the people's prosperity.

According to Musa, Sabah is the best model in terms of unity, religious tolerance and harmony among the various ethnic in the country.

"What is interesting is that we never make race, ethnicity and religion separate us. Instead, we respect each other and muster this ethnic diversity as the main thrust of our strength and success in line with the concept of unity in diversity," he said.