Sabah and Sarawak, the two Malaysian states on Borneo island, welcomed the declaration of Sept 16, the day Malaysia was formed, as a national public holiday.

Leaders of the two states described the announcement by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today as a historical event and a recognition for both states as well as something which added meaning to the 1Malaysia concept.

In Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman said the date Sept 16 was indeed a historical moment for the people of Sabah who had been living the 1Malaysia concept all the while.

"Sept 16 is indeed a historical date because on that auspicious day, the people of Sabah from the various ethnic groups came together in unison to achieve independence through the formation of Malaysia," he said in a statement.

He added that the announcement would undoubtedly spur the state government and the people to further strengthen unity as the catalyst for the state's development.

A wise move

Meanwhile, Sarawak Land Development Minister James Masing, in welcoming Najib's announcement, said it was about time that Sept 16 was recognised as a public holiday.

"I am grateful to the prime minister because Sept 16 has been a very important day for the people of Sarawak and Sabah as well the peninsula," he told reporters in Kuching.

Masing recalled that while officiating at the Malaysia Day celebration here on Oct 10, Najib had emphasised the fact that Sarawak and Sabah were vis-a-vis on par with Malaya when the three territories decided to get together and formed what is now known as Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963.

Kadazandusun Cultural Association Sabah (KDCA) president Joseph Pairin Kitingan described the announcement by the prime minister as a wise and brave move.

It showed the prime minister's determination in realising national unity, which is the ultimate objective of 1Malaysia, he said.

- Bernama