Man recounts late father raising the M’sian flag on Sept 16, 1963
Published on: Monday, September 16, 2019
By: Bernama
Jusit holding the Jalur Gemilang.
KENINGAU: George Laim Jusit was only 11 years old when the Malaysian flag (Jalur Gemilang) was raised at the Jesselton (now known as Kota Kinabalu) city field on Sept 16, 1963.”I was standing only about a few metres from the flagpole. I felt so excited and proud as my late father Sergeant Jusit Rantai was the one who was tasked with hoisting the Malaysian flag,” he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Recalling the historic moment, the 67-year-old George said his two younger sisters Juliana and Jane, aged 10 and eight, respectively, were also there to witness the momentous occasion.
“Sir William Allmond Codrington Goode (the then British Governor of North Borneo) and several British officers looked at the three of us with a smile.
“I also saw Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun (former Sabah Chief Minister), Donald Stephens (the late Tun Fuad Stephens) and other Sabah leaders (standing) in the front row,” he said.
George said he would also never forget the moment when he was approached by Sir Goode who then laid his hand upon George’s head right after the historic ceremony.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said what made him touched was the Malaysia proclamation ceremony on that day was attended by thousands of people of different racial, religious and political backgrounds as one united nation.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
ADVERTISEMENT
“This is what happens when many sensitive issues are politicised,” he said.
