KOTA KINABALU: Sabah will celebrate Independence Day and Sabah Day concurrently on Aug 31, said state Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
"This year we will celebrate Sabah together with Merdeka Day. So, it is just an event without additional cost.
"That's how it will be from this year onwards," he said, acknowledging the rising costs for Sabah to host many celebrations in the state.
Masidi was speaking when winding up the debate session for the Supplementary Supply (2024) Bill during the state assembly sitting here.
Earlier, Assafal Alian (Tungku-Warisan) had debated on the Sabah government's need to establish a special constitutional arrangement, besides providing documents to support the fact that Aug 31 should be commemorated as Sabah Day.
Assafal had also queried whether Sabah Day also meant Independence Day for the state.
Masidi, who is Karanaan assemblyman, said he did not want to dwell much on historical matters although on Aug 31, 1963, he celebrated Independence as a 12-year-old boy.
"And I was present during that independence celebration when (the then) governor Sir William Goode stated from today (Aug 31, 1963) onwards, all state government affairs are entrusted to the Cabinet led by Donald Stevens.
"The assumption at that time was we were already independent or being self-governing was the date of independence."
Masidi also said that it did not matter whether people wanted to celebrate Independence Day on Aug 31 or Sept 16.
"From the beginning, I do not debate whether it should be (celebrated) on 31st or 16th, but the consensus in the government is we assume Aug 31 as Sabah Day.
"There will be more than enough people who will disagree with you (Assafal) as much as you disagree with those who think Aug 31 is our Hari Sabah.
"(But) you can go and see a historian and then you debate about the 31st or 16th," he said.