Historians agree Sabah rightfully belongs to Malaysia

7th March, 2013

KOTA KINABALU: Historians insisted that Sabah belongs to Malaysia and cannot be claimed by others as Sabahans had agreed to the formation of Malaysia in a referendum held by the Cobbold Commission in 1962.

Head of Social Science School History Programme, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Mosli Tarsat said historical evidence clearly shows the status of Sabah as a valid part of Malaysia and recognised by the United Nations (UN).

“Although Sabah, formerly known as North Borneo before the formation of Malaysia, was controlled and influenced by The Sultanate of Brunei and Sulu, the North Borneo Chartered Company, Japan and the British, but after 1963, the situation changed after the formation of Malaysia,” he told Bernama here yesterday.

The Cobbold Commission which held a four month referendum of Sabah and Sarawak for the formation of Malaysia received 2,200 memorandum with about 80 per cent of the people supporting the creation of Malaysia. The Commission’s report was submitted to the British government and Malaysia was formed by combining Malaya, Singapore, Brunei, Sarawak and Sabah (North Borneo).

“Therefore, Sabah officially joined Malaysia on September 16, 1963 after gaining independence on August 31, 1963,” he said supporting a statement by Information Communications and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim that Sabah rightfully belongs to Malaysia according to international law and cannot be claimed by any party.

In Kuala Lumpur, Prof Dr Ramlah Adam who also agreed with the statement by Rais said Malaysia is a sovereign state that is recognised globally.

“As such, there is no question of claim by any party. The statement by the Information Communications and Culture Minister on Tuesday is historically accurate,” said the Main Fellow, Strategic Studies Unit, Universiti Malaysia Perlis when contacted here.

Ramlah said the referendum on Sabah and Sarawak by the Cobbold Commission, is similar to the Singapore Referendum for the formation of Malaysia in 1962.

“They cannot claim just based on history. For example, the Siam government handed Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan and Terengganu over to the British and cannot claim the states.”

Ramlah said Malaysians, especially those in Sabah must be clear about the matter so that the country will remain peaceful and support national sovereignty.

“We are talking about the security and sovereignty of the country. This is not the time to politicise this issue or blame the government,” said Ramlah.

Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Khoo Kay Kim said North Borneo (Sabah) was separated from Sulu since 1885 and was administered by the North Borneo Chartered Company.

“This matter (separation of Sabah from Sulu) happened long before the Cobbold Commission came in 1963. As such, it is difficult to change the situation,” he added.

Source : New Sabah Times

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Archaeological find unearthed in Bingkor

23rd May, 2012

KENINGAU: Another archaeological find has been unearthed at Jalan Kuangoh in Bingkor indicating what used to be a site for making Palaeolithic stone tools.The archaeological site about 15 minutes from here had been identified earlier and as of last May 9, excavation work began and is expected to finish on May 29 next week.Within 10 days, the team consisting of researchers from the Global Archaeological Research Centre of University Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Sabah Museum Department discovered several items.

These included tools such as an anvil, core stone and hammerstone associated with debitage and even other items like chopper and flake tool.Director of the UMS Global Archaeological Research Centre Prof Dr Mokhtar Saidin believes it proved there were early humans that settled in the area. However he was not able to provide a date for when they existed in the prehistoric period as it required further detailed studies.Nevertheless, he stressed that it was an important find because it revealed the importance of West Sabah to Palaeolithic studies not only at the national level but for the world.The location was first explored in 2009 by the West Sabah Archaeological Project team led by Jaffrey Abdullah.According to Dr Mokhtar, prior to 2009 a lot of prehistoric data in Sabah was found on the east coast such as the Mansuli site that is believed to have existed 235,000 years ago.Another example is the Samang Buat Cave in Lahad Datu which has been in existence for 46,000 years and Bukit Tengkorak in Semporna that can be traced back to 5,000 years ago.Meanwhile, Sabah Museum director Joanna Kitingan said the latest discovery will put Keningau in the international spotlight as far as Palaeolithic findings are concerned.She suggested that the area can turn into a place for archaeo-tourism when it is gazetted as such under the Museum Department.Joanna said it would garner well for the local economy because tourists would be attracted to come and visit.Also present yesterday were Keningau assistant district officer for development Mohd Guntur Datuk Arif and community leaders.

New Sabah Times

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