Sabah embarks on Bahasa policy
Published on: Saturday, September 05, 2015
AUGUST 251973: Chief Minister Tun Datu Haji Mustapha said in Labuan that Bahasa Malaysia will be officially used in Sabah on Sept 16, when the State marks its 10th anniversary.He said it was in line with the State Government's policy of having its own language in order to unite Sabahans and hoped all had taken the initiative to learn the language.
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AUGUST 26Plans to set up DID announced1966: Plans were announced to form a Drainage and Irrigation Department next year, in order to keep pace with the economic and rural development in Sabah.Presently, the functions were carried out by the PWD and arrangements are being made to transfer it to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
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Under the First Malaysia Plan, more than RM7m had been set aside for irrigation of padi, oil padi drainage and hydraulic investigation.With a DID set up, staff would be in a position to prepare its blueprint for the Second Malaysia Plan.
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Civics course for Native Chiefs1965: A two-day civics course was held at the State Development Operations Room at the State Secretariat to acquaint Native Chiefs and Orang Tuas (elderly) on the intricacies of government machinery at both the State and Federal levels.They were briefed on development, security and urged to win the hearts and minds of the people.Steel bridge across Padas River1973: The RM1.25m steel bridge across the Padas River in Beaufort was officially opened.State Communications and Works Minister Datuk Pang Tet Shung noted that plans for the bridge stretched in 1958, when many schemes were proposed.He said many designs were considered but did not meet the situation or price. In 1967, it was decided that the bridge had to be built as a 100 per cent State scheme. The steel contained in the structure totalling 400 tonnes was fabricated in Hong Kong.AUGUST 27RM29,000 Kota Belud clinic1975: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Haji Mohd Said Keruak declared open a new clinic costing RM29,000 in Kampung Kelawat, Kota Belud.AUGUST 28Berjaya and Usno patch up differences1976: The ruling Berjaya and opposition Usno sat together for the first time to discuss future policies with respect to Barisan Nasional (BN) objectives, of which they were both members.The two-hour meeting chaired by State BN leader and Chief Minister Datuk Harris Salleh at the State Operations Room was conducted in friendly atmosphere, covering a wide range of topics.In a joint statement following the meeting, both parties ruled out a coalition government for the moment and agreed to reduce politicking to minimise friction and prevent disunity among the people. The Usno delegation was led by its Acting President Tan Sri Haji Mohamed Said Keruak.Educational development plan1946: The Crown Colony that took over North Borneo's (Sabah) Administration 1946, came out with a five-year educational development plan, which formed the basis of education pattern in the State.It was prepared by first Educational Director RE Perry, which emphasised the need for educating both adults and children. 1952 saw the setting up for the first Teachers Training College at Menggatal, which was later moved to Tuaran.1967: The Third Battalion Malaysian Rangers returned to the peninsula after their first tour of duty in Tawau lasting nine months.While in Sabah, they saw the end of post-Confrontation incursions and engaged the last group of Indonesian North Kalimantan Army troops known to have entered the State during the Prime Minister's visit to Kalabakan.AUGUST 29Said Keruak takes over Usno helm1976: The Usno Supreme Council at an emergency meeting accepted the resignation of Party President Tun Datu Haji Mustapha, who had been leading the Party since its formation in 1962.The Council unanimously elected Tan Sri Haji Mohd Said to act as President until its next general assembly the following year.Mustapha forwarded his resignation letter to the Council 10 days earlier, expressing desire to retire from politics.RM4.5m agri vocational school opened1975: Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Haji Mohd Said Keruak opened the RM4.5m Agricultural Vocational School at Timbang Menggaris in Kota Belud.Keruak said values and thinking level of rural youths would be changed and directed toward higher scientific understanding of agriculture through the school.The school for which the New Zealand provided RM1.7m under the Colombo Plan aid, aimed to modernise agriculture and provide agricultural education and training to rural youths.Reclamation plans1966: Plans were announced to reclaim an acre in front of Winner House to be developed into the Kampong Air market.Jesselton Town Board Chairman Dato Lai En Kong said its Building and Town Planning Committee would provide the funds while a request for the building costs will be forwarded to the State Government.Sabah stall a hit at fair1967: Sabah was the Best Decorated Stall at the Malaysian Agricultural and Horticultural Association (Maha) exhibition in Kuala Lumpur.More than 20,000 people visited the Sabah stall which was jointly put up by the Sabah Tourist Association (STA), Agriculture Department and Sabah Museum.Sabah-made cigars proved sold like hot cakes at the fair. Other Sabah items included shell products and items made from rattan, timber and handloom weavings. STA distributed more than 20,000 booklets on Sabah to visitors at the stall.AUGUST 29Photo-finish camera at Turf Club1968: A photo-finish camera was in use for the first time at the Royal Sabah Turf Club monthly race meeting in Tanjung Aru.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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