1963 State Anthem that still inspires

Daily Express

3 days ago

Published on: Sunday, August 03, 2025
Published on: Sun, Aug 03, 2025
By: Datuk Teddy Chin Text Size: 'Sabah Tanah Airku. Negeri kita yang tercinta, Pemuda-pemudi semua marilah, Bangunlah Bersatu semua. Marilah Bersama serta maju jaya, Merdeka sepanjang masa, Bersatu segala bangsa sentosa, Sabah negeri Merdeka.' Above are the lyrics of our State Anthem, Sabah Tanah Airku or Sabah My Homeland. It was written by H.B. Hermann, a Singapore resident. It was chosen after winning a competition on May 16, 1963, and first aired over radio on July 18 the same year. The song officially became the State Anthem upon Sabah's accession to Malaysia on September 16, 1963. As students, we learnt and sang it in schools since 1963. As adults, we sing it or at least stand at attention whenever it is sung or played in functions, normally after the national anthem, Negara Ku. But how many us can really memorize the words or pay attention to its meaning or significance. Most of us just take it for granted. The words go through our left ears and out of our right ears after it is sung. Nobody, including leaders except a few, would bother to memorize the words or talk about its significance. Until Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun made it the theme of his speech in Kota Kinabalu recently. The Deputy President of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) was speaking at the Joint-Opening of the PGRS Youth, Women and Young Women (Beliawanis) wings of PGRS. He said the lyrics of the State Anthem first sung in 1963 still hold meaning today and represent the vision of past Sabah leaders, a vision that must be revived and defended. Masidi stated that Sabah Tanah Airku embodies spirit of Sabah's political struggle, adding that Sabahans should take inspiration from the song, describing it as the soul of Sabah's political identity and the guiding force for its future. He pointed out that the message behind Sabah Tanah Airku, sung at every official function, encapsulates the very values GRS upholds: Unity, pride, relentless commitments to progress. 'The entire spirit of our political life, our love for Sabah, our dream for development, our hope for unity, is captured in that one song. When we say Sabah First, it's not merely a slogan. It is the essence of who we are and it comes directly from the mandate embedded in our anthem,' Masidi said. He said that the Sabah Maju Jaya slogan frequently criticized by political opponents, is not a partisan catchphrase but a continuation of the aspirations laid out in the State Anthem. 'When someone mocks or belittle Sabah Maju Jaya, what they are really doing is belittling their own State. They are mocking their own State Anthem. Sabah Maju Jaya was not created by GRS. 'It is actually a part of our inherited history, and must uphold it as the foundation of our effort and struggle. 'We want to always be independent, not just physically free, but mentally free. Free to think and determine what is best for Sabah. We do not want our thinking to be influenced by outside elements that make us lose our Sabahan identity. We want to remain Sabahans, with thoughts that are our own. 'And that is why we focus on local parties, because we want Sabah to develop based on its own model of progress. Not because someone else want us to do this or that. 'Yes, we want to be friends with others, but we will make friends on our own terms, not on terms dictated by others. This is our struggle,' he stressed. He also took aim at detractors who offer constant criticisms without solutions, pointing out, 'People can talk, people can criticize. But there are those who are good at criticizing yet say very little about what their plans are to solve problems. Right now, everyone can criticize. Even birds like the magpie and mynah that can talk, can also criticize. 'I understand there is criticism every day, in the newspapers, in the State Assembly. That is true. But for me, it has reached a point where: 'What you say is your problem, not my problem.' 'Let us focus on what truly matters. We have a track record. What do the critics have to show for themselves? We are not here to silence criticisms – we are here to deliver results. Let our work speak for us. With the State gearing up for the next election, he warned of the consequences of losing local control and GRS' achievements must be defended. 'That is why we must win this election. Because we want Sabah to progress, because we love Sabah, and we want these achivements to be multiplied in the future. We are not merely defending GRS' achivement, we are defending the future of our people – especially the younger generation. 'If we lose this government, others will take over. And if that happens, what will become of Sabah in 10 years? Will our youth still have a place? Will Sabahans still be in charge of Sabah?' he questioned. 'We are not just defending GRS' track record. We are defending the future of our people – especially our young ones. Sabah's future is too important to be handed away,' he said. In a passionate conclusion, Masidi urged unity and focus. 'Let go of petty quarrels. But don't let small conflicts become walls that block big dreams. This is not about individual ambition. This is about ensuring Sabahans remain masters in their own homeland,' he said. 'You are the master. You own Sabah. Not someone else. We, the people of Sabah, must determine our future. No one else,' said Masidi. The Sabah Maju Jaya slogan has been mocked more than once, mostly by the Opposition or GRS' nemesis. It was even mentioned in a mocking way in the State Assembly more than once. An Assemblyman, however, was not so lucky about 2 or 3 years ago. He said his constituents were mocking the Sabah Maju Jaya slogan because there were still many shortcomings in the constituency and that he was merely conveying their feelings. However, the then Deputy Speaker who was chairing the session did not find him funny. Datuk Ahmad Abdul Rahman, a lawyer and a former Magistrate who tolerates no nonsense, told the backbencher in no uncertain terms: 'The Sabah Maju Jaya slogan as enshrined in the State Crest is not to be mocked. If in Pakistan, you could be shot,' he said angrily. That shows how important and sacred the slogan is. I need not say more. Case closed. Coming back to Masidi, I always think that he and Hajiji make a good team. I would describe the Hajiji-Masidi combination as akin to the deadly James Wong-Hassan Sani 'deadly' team during the hey days of Sabah football or soccer. What more now with Tun Musa Aman as the Governor – perfect. Both Hajiji and Masidi were Tun Musa's trusted lieutenants when the latter was Chief Minister. In fact, immediately after the 2018 election, both Hajjiji and Masidi were made DCMs. Masidi is a lawyer by training and outsiders cannot simply 'Klentong' with him. He is known to be outspoken and does not mince his words. He once said if Sabah couldn't get what she wanted at a meeting with Petronas, he would bang the table. Upon graduation as a lawyer, the then young Masidi became a Legal Adviser to the Sabah Forestry Department in Sandakan. He was later hand-picked by Chief Minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh to be the Tuaran District Officer. He was later promoted to become the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports. He later resigned to join politics. Through Umno, he became an Assemblyman somewhere in Ranau and eventually a Minister. There is something in common between Masidi and his present Cabinet colleague Datuk Seri Panglima Jahid Jahim, the Rural Development Minister. First, they are both Muslim Dusun, with Masidi being from Ranau and Jahid from Kiulu in the Tuaran district. Masidi is proud of his being a Dusun despite being a Muslim. He once told off the State Mufti who suggested that Sabah KDM Muslims should perhaps considering 'Malay-nised' (Memelayukan) themselves. 'I may be a Muslim, but I will always also be a Dusun,' said Masidi. In fact even when he was still in the Forestry Department in the 70s, he was the Legal Adviser to USDA (United Sabah Dusun Association). The other similarity between Masidi and Jahid is that they were both Tuaran District Officers. While Masidi was hand-picked by Harris, Jahid was hand-picked by Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan who succeeded Harris. Not only that, after being Tuaran DO for some time, both ended up as Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sports. Not only that, Masidi later became Culture, Youth & Sports Minister while Jahid became the Assistant Minister. Talking about a small world. By the way, Hajiji is lucky in that he is also surrounded by intellectuals including lawyers in his GRS government. Presidents of 2 GRS component parties, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin of Usno and Datuk Seri Panglima Yong Teck Lee of SAPP are both lawyers. Pandikar was the first Sabahan to be the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, the Lower House of the Malaysian Parliament. Before that, he had been both a State and Federal Minister, a feat that not many Sabahans could achieve. Yong was only the second Sabah Chinese to become Chief Minister, the first being the late Tan Sri Peter Lo in the 60s. He is also out-spoken and you can't just keep him quiet, just like Pandikar. He would not hesitate to open his mouth when he has something to say. Although Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan is not a lawyer, the Harvard-educated graduate is an intellectual. I don't think any other Sabahan can match his record of fighting for Sabah's rights since the early 90s. He was out-spoken at a time when ISA was still around and for that he went to jail for more than two years. His arrest silenced many Sabahans especially politicians who feared that they might be next on the shopping list. But not Tan Sri Bernard Dompok who spoke about it in Parliament with then PM Dr M starring at him angrily from across the floor. Politics being what it is, Dr Jeffrey is also a potential future Sabah Chief Minister apart from Masidi when Hajiji calls it a day. But then again, Man Proposes God disposes. Kak Wan (Anwar's wife) once said: 'Manusia merancang, Tuhan turut merancang' (Man plans, God also plans). I wish both men well. The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]