KOTA KINABALU: Sisters Jasmine and Cheryl Wong did not mind waking up early on a Sunday as they knew it was worth it.
“We woke up around 5.30am, our usual time on a school day. But today it was not to beat the school bell; it was to beat the traffic. Our parents told us we had to leave home early if we wanted a good parking spot near the event area,” said Jasmine, 17.
The eldest of six siblings explained it was a small sacrifice to be part of the joint Sabah and National Day celebrations in the city on Sunday (Aug 31).
“My younger siblings wanted to see the Tuan Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman and the Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor) in person. It is not often we get the chance to see them live,” she added.
Tun Musa and his wife, Toh Puan Faridah Tussin, were received by Hajiji and his wife, Datin Seri Juliah Salag, upon arrival at the main stage. Ministers, assistant ministers, and department heads were also present.
Jasmine, Cheryl, and their four siblings, namely Noel, Damien, Noemi, and Emma, were among some 50,000 people who packed Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens for the event as early as 6.30am.
“The place was packed, so we stayed close together. The best part was the colourful parade,” said Cheryl, 16, referring to the 169 contingents, which for the first time included scooter riders.
This year marked the second time the Sabah Day was officially celebrated, commemorating the state’s independence from British rule on Aug 31, 1963, which is also the same date Malaya gained its freedom six years earlier.
Sabah, along with Sarawak and Malaya, later formed Malaysia on Sept 16 that year.
In his Sabah and National Day message on Saturday (Aug 30), Hajiji said the two commemorations offered an opportunity to reflect on history, strengthen identity, and nurture love for both state and nation.
“On this date, we celebrate Sabah Day and National Day, two occasions that serve as unifying factors for all Malaysians from diverse backgrounds.
“This historic date is not merely a day of remembrance and celebration, but also a time to appreciate the sacrifices of our freedom fighters who valiantly fought for independence,” he said.
This year’s National Day theme is Malaysia Madani: Rakyat Disantuni (Caring for Citizens), while Sabah Day is marked under the theme Untukmu Sabah Tanah Airku (For You Sabah, My Homeland).
Hajiji said both carry a shared message rooted in the principles of Madani and the Sabah Maju Jaya Development Plan.
At the event, Tun Musa inspected the guard of honour comprising 103 personnel from the Third Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, led by Major Luqman Hakim Sahar.
This was followed by the hoisting of the Jalur Gemilang and Sabah state flag, and the recitation of the pledge led by Superintendent Heryan Mohd Tahir with representatives of uniformed bodies.
A choir performance by Kota Kinabalu City Hall took place before the parade began.
They were followed by processions featuring security forces, uniformed bodies, state ministries, schools, higher learning institutions, cultural associations, Non-Governmental Organisations, and the private sector.
The celebration concluded with a silent drill performance by the navy and a special cultural showcase by the Sabah Cultural Board.
