Sabah minister wants Malaysia Day exhibition held annually

KOTA KINABALU: A yearly Malaysia Day exhibition will greatly benefit the people on the history and events that led to the country’s formation, says Datuk Christina Liew.

The state Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister said, hence, the Malaysia Day Exhibition should be held every year in conjunction with the annual commemoration of Malaysia’s birth.

She suggested this after officially opening the 60th Malaysia Day Exhibition 2023 with the theme “Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan” (Determination in Unity, Fulfilling Hope) in Penampang near here on Tuesday (Sept 12).

Liew was representing Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to launch the event at the International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC).

“The exhibition is a good initiative on the part of the State Archives Department,” the Minister told reporters later.

“I encourage the younger generation to visit the booths on the history of North Borneo (now Sabah) and Malaysia.

“They must know and understand the history of the birth of Malaysia and how Sabah achieved Independence in 1963, and later formed the Federation of Malaysia, together with Malaya, Sarawak and Singapore,” she added.

Liew noted that the exhibition, which is on until Sept 16 (from 10am to 9pm daily), also highlights the state government’s Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) initiatives, in addition to the role, functions and programmes of 10 state ministries.

These ministries are the Community Development and People’s Well-Being; Industrial and Entrepreneurship Development; Science, Technology and Innovation; Youth and Sports; Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS); Finance; Works; Rural Development; and Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Industry.

She was accompanied by Deputy State Secretary (Development) Datuk Dr Ahemad Sade and exhibition organising committee chairman Shirley Sion.

Liew also toured the booths featuring the Chief Minister’s Department (JKM), Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), Sabah Tourism Board (STB), State Archives Department, Land and Survey Department, Forestry Department, Printing Department and State Railway Department, among others.