By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The unity of the diverse races and religions in Sabah is key to the state’s strength and prosperity, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He urged all citizens to continue preserving the harmony enjoyed today as the most valuable legacy for future generations.
“Unity in diversity is Sabah’s true strength. It is not a weakness, rather it is a uniqueness that we should be proud of and safeguard,” he said, at the launch of the National and Sabah Day, and the 2025 Flag Waiving Campaign at a resort here yesterday.
He said every individual is responsible for making places like schools, workplaces, business premises, places of worship, and digital platforms to strengthen understanding, rather than sowing division.
On the progress of Sabah’s development, he said the achievements of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 1.0 Roadmap as of May 2025 showed encouraging success, with an average implementation rate reaching 94 percent of the 467 initiatives planned.
“Among sectors that continue to be prioritized are agriculture, industry, and tourism, along with efforts to enhance human capital, the peoples’ welfare, infrastructure networks, and environmental sustainability,” he said.
Hajiji said various forms of assistance have also been provided to the people, including access to education and introducing the Sabah People’s Protection Insurance Scheme that offers comprehensive benefits to citizens.
He also urged all segments of society to fly the Jalur Gemilang everywhere – as a symbol of loyalty and love for the nation.
“Today’s launch is not just a symbolic event, but a call for us to understand the true meaning of independence – not just freedom from colonization, but also freedom from poverty and division,” he said.
The National Day and Sabah Day celebration of, held every August, is a historic moment that reminds the people of the struggle of their forefathers in defending the homeland and the dignity of the nation.
“As Malaysians in Sabah, we have a great responsibility to safeguard the blessings of independence and continue this legacy of struggle,” he added.
The launching event was marked by the handing over of flags to state and federal government departments and agencies, representatives of associations, and the launch of the Merdeka Jalur Gemilang Expedition.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
