January 71971: Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia Tan Sri Donald Stephens, his wife and five children have embraced Islam.
He took the name of Mohammad Fuad Stephens, while his wife became known as Puan Sri Rahimah.
More than 200 others also embraced the religion at a ceremony held at the residence of Chief Minister Tun Datu Haji Mustapha bin Datu Harun.
It was witnessed by Head of State Tun Pengiran Haji Ahmad Raffae, State Ministries and other dignitaries.
He said after the ceremony that he considered becoming a Muslim because of the close ties he and his family had with Mustapha.
He said he and Mustapha were "blood brothers" when they pricked their fingers and mixed their blood in August 1969.
Advertisement
He said he believed religion was a factor that could help bring unity, prosperity and happiness in Malaysia, generally, and Sabah in particular, for generations to come.
NB: During the Malaysia negotiations, Stephens represented the non-Muslim natives while Mustapha the Muslim natives and Khoo Siak Chiew the Chinese. His conversion, thus was seen as a disadvantage for non-Muslim natives.
He also retained the first Huguan Siou title despite his conversion.
United National Pasok Momogun launched
1962: It was reported that the United National Pasok Momogun Organisation was officially launched a week earlier on Tuesday at a Keningau cinema. OKK GS Sundang was elected President and OKK Sedomon bin Gunsanad Vice President.
OKK Sundang quit his Vice President post in the United National Kadazan Organisation (Unko) on the day of the meeting.
Sedomon urged the people to work together towards making North Borneo peaceful, happy and prosperous.
The other office bearers included Robert Evans (Asst Secretary-General and Asst Treasurer), Yusuf (Secretary General), Fong Tien Leong (Treasurer) and Hong On Sen (Asst Treasurer).
Many spoke and expressed the view that North Borneo should achieve self-government and independence before joining Malaysia. The cinema hall was decorated with flags and buntings.
Kepayan Animal Research Centre opened
1968: Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Mohd Said bin Keruak opened the $280,000 Animals Disease Research Centre in Kepayan.
January 8
Inauguration of Tambalang race course
1959: The Tambalang race track in Tuaran was inaugurated. Sir William and Lady Goode arrived at the venue with a colourful mounted escort. He described it as the colony's most spacious racing centre in the most pleasant surroundings.
He also said the track was a vast improvement upon the Tuaran District Sports Association's earlier track near Kent College. Veteran planters appearing as officials at the meeting recalled the days when "Rubber Kings" replaced the "Tobacco Barons" as patrons of the North Borneo turf. On Jan 9, 1979, Chief Minister Datuk Harris Mohd Salleh disclosed plans to revive and develop it into an international standard race course covering 100 acres with a 9 furlong track.
Harris also spoke of the possibility of shifting the existing Royal Sabah Turf Club site in Tanjung Aru to over here.
January 9
First Bornean to be Jesselton Town Board Deputy Boss
1959: Lai En Kong became the first North Bornean Deputy Chairman of the Jesselton Town Board. His appointment came following two vote counts, both ending in a 5-5 tie with the other hot favourite, Mark Whitton. The Chairman JS Chisholm then decided to use his casting vote and turned it in favour of Lai. Kudat-born Lai was among the few locals boys who obtained a Cambridge School Certificate before the war. Lai, in his inaugural speech, said it would not be easy to manage the Town Board's affairs at once "because there were many difficult problems" He mentioned two of them – moving thousands living in the Kampung Air area and the sewerage scheme.
The first problem involved construction of four flats at Batu Tiga which could house 42 families.
The sewerage project will cost the Board some $3m. In order to keep the public better informed on its activities and business transactions, he said representatives of the Press would be invited to be present at full Board meetings.
January 10
Usia Kota Belud branch
1970: The United Sabah Islamic Association (Usia) Kota Belud division was launched with the aim of ensuring that converts fully understand Islamic teachings.
January 11
Deputy Education Director Whelan dies
1969: Sabah Deputy Director of Education FG Whelan died of sudden illness. Whelan, who spent 16 years in Sabah, was buried at the Roman Catholic cemetery in Jalan Penampang. All schools in KK, Menggatal, Telipok, Tuaran and Inanam, including those along the railways line as far as Papar were closed at 9.30am by The Director of Education, Tuan Haji Lokman bin Haji Musa, as a mark of respect.
January 12
Duke and Duchess of Gloucester visit State
1966: The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester visited Sabah for three days. They were met at Jesselton Airport by Chief Minister Peter Lo, First Secretary of the Deputy British Hich Commissioner's Office in Jesselton RM Hunt and other officials.
10 years of rural air services
1979: The MAS Rural Air Services marked its 10th anniversary
.png)
