Unity greatest strength of Sabah, says Hajiji

Borneo Post

4 days ago

Hajiji (third from left) launching the National Day, Sabah Day and the 2025 Flag Waving Campaign at the Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort.-Information Department photo
KOTA KINABALU (Aug 1): The unity among Sabah's diverse races and religions is the cornerstone of the state's strength and prosperity, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.
He called on all citizens to continue nurturing the harmony that Sabah enjoys today, describing it as the most valuable legacy for future generations.
'Unity in diversity is Sabah's true strength. It is not a weakness, but a uniqueness we should be proud of and work hard to protect,' he said when officiating the launch of National Day, Sabah Day and the 2025 Flag Waving Campaign at the Magellan Sutera Harbour Resort on Friday.
Hajiji reminded all Sabahans that every individual has a role to play in fostering understanding whether in schools, workplaces, business premises, places of worship, or even digital platforms rather than promoting division.
Touching on development progress, he highlighted the positive achievements under the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) 1.0 Roadmap, which as of May 2025, recorded an encouraging 94 percent implementation rate across 467 planned initiatives.
'Key sectors that continue to receive focus include agriculture, industry and tourism, along with human capital development, people's welfare, infrastructure enhancement, and environmental sustainability,' he said.
The Chief Minister also noted various forms of assistance introduced for the people, including improved access to education and the launch of the Sabah People's Protection Insurance Scheme, which provides comprehensive benefits for citizens.
He called on the public to fly the Jalur Gemilang proudly across the state as a symbol of patriotism and national pride.
'Today's launch is more than a symbolic event. It is a reminder of the deeper meaning of independence, not just freedom from colonisation, but also from poverty and disunity,' Hajiji said.
He added that the annual National Day and Sabah Day celebrations every August are important reminders of the sacrifices made by forefathers in defending the homeland and upholding the nation's dignity.
'As Malaysians in Sabah, we have a great responsibility to preserve the blessings of independence and continue this legacy of struggle,' he said.
The event concluded with the handing over of flags to state and federal government departments and agencies, representatives of various associations, and the launch of the Merdeka Jalur Gemilang Expedition.