Values of independence must live on: CM
Published on: Saturday, August 10, 2019
By: Clarence GD
Shafie (centre) with Peter, Tangau and others during the event.
RANAU: The independence struggle continues long after the first Merdeka celebrations and every citizen shoulder the task of ensuring the values from it prevail for generations to come.Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal said it is necessary to remember the sacrifices of those who came before us in striving for independence 62 years ago. “Thanks to them, we are able to live as a race of a liberated nation. This gift must at all times be cherished considering that the task of bringing the nation towards independence and keeping it that way is no easy mission,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
He was officiating the state level Independence Month and fly Jalur Gemilang campaign 2019 at the Ranau District Field on Friday.
He said Sabahans over 60 years ago dreamt of a world free from occupation, where they could administer on their own without having the British hold important positions like army chief, district officers and so on.
“In the end we achieved our goal without bloodshed, but a very civil and peaceful transition of power.
“Once the struggle for independence is achieved our focus moved to bringing all of our people out of poverty, but also in knowledge and social values,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Shafie said we are now reaping the fruits of independence and freedom. “How important it is for us to foster the values of freedom, not only through shouts and cry of independence but most importantly through our practice in everyday life.”
This, he said, is crucial because practice is what counts. Our actions would determine whether the development, prosperity and unity in the country could be enjoyed by ourselves.
ADVERTISEMENT
“If small quarters of people want to instil the values of hatred between one another based on the distinction of religion, race, district and region, then they are no different from other countries in the world which, despite having tasted independence for hundereds of years, still doesn’t get it.
“This is not and will never be our goal. Our differences are actually our strength which enables us to accept one another.
“Have eyes that see the difference of those who are more well off, more excellent in their education, more progressive in their lives, and ask ourselves why those people can achieve better that ourselves.
“Not so that we act in revolt, but we want to improve all the values in our lives so we could rise up, bring our families forward and have something to contribute for the country even though we know all these are not easy to achieve in the first place,” he said.
Shafie said it is time for Malaysians to ensure that we continue to foster loving kindness values among the people in this country so that to respect one another becomes a second nature for us.
“This is what must instil in every child because we want this value to become empowered within the generations to come. We must invest now so that the essence of independence lives on and on.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
