Sukarno ‘hanged’ at Community Centre
Published on: Saturday, April 16, 2022
By: British North Borneo Herald
Text Size:
Sukarno
1963: President Sukarno was hanged before a large crowd at the Jesselton Community Centre – his effigy that is.
It was the climax of a two-and-a-half hour rally during which Chief Minister Donald Stephens accused Sukarno of being a cheat, liar and international blackmailer.
Stephens said Sukarno laid his eyes on Sabah back in 1959 when the latter told him “We are Indonesians and should speak Indonesian instead of English.”
He said the people of Indonesia are not to blame for Sukarno’s confrontation policy with Malaysia because they had been misled.
“When the situation in West Irian is settled, Sukarno will want Sabah,” Stephens warned.
OCTOBER 22
Tawau General Hospital opened
1967: Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman opened the $5 million , Tawau General Hospital.
He paid tribute to medical staff there who provided treatment to security forces during the confrontation years against Indonesia.
Tunku said although the hospital was planned in 1960 (before Malaysia’s formation in 1963), it was completed as part of the first Malaysia Plan.
A new hospital was opened in Lahad Datu in Oct 1962 and a new hospital was also under way in Semporna.
In the following year, a 12-bed rural clinic in Apas Balung and Kunak, was to be brought into operation.
Chartered Company’s base found
1980: A Sabah Museum team discovered the site of the Chartered Company’s Saluting Base on a hill close to Sandakan town.
Museum Curator David McCredie said the find consisted of two World War 1 artillery guns that were placed on two sets of cement runners beside the company flag pole overlooking the town.
One of the guns was brought back to KK while the other was returned to the original site and beautified.
Sandakan was the Chartered Company’s headquarters for most of the time until the Japanese Occupation in 1942.
OCTOBER 25
1973: Ex-world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali flew in to Kota Kinabalu accompanied by his wile Belinda, manager Angelo Dundee and sparring partners Alonte Johnson and Tony Doyle.
He was due to stage exhibition bouts over 10 rounds at the Mini Expo grounds.
Sabah Amateur Boxing Association President and Minister of local Government Sancti Haji Sulong said Chief Minister Tun Datu Haji Mustapha’s personal interest and involvement made it possible for Ali to come to Sabah.
Since the Association was an amateur body it could not involve itself in professional participation and Tun Mustapha agreed that the United Sabah Islamic Association (Usia) sponsor the visit.
While in Sabah, Ali paid a courtesy call on Head of State Tan Sri Haji Mohd Fuad Stephens and witnessed 170 people embrace Islam at a mass conversion ceremony held at Tun Mustapha’s residence.
OCTOBER 28
CPA meet in Jesselton
1963: Nineteen delegates from 18 countries arrived in Jesselton for a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) meeting. They flew in via a chartered Fokker 27.
OCTOBER 30
Kadazan Lotud Association formed
1961: A meeting attended by over 100 people in Kampung Batangan unanimously decided that a Kadazan Lotud Association be formed.
Its elected chairman Michael Bagong said the aim was to work with other races and for the good of the Kadazan-Lotud in Tuaran.
OCTOBER 23
First in Sabah to go metric
1978: Shell became the first organisation in Sabah to go metric by switching from gallons to litres.
It also distributed free conversion charts to motorists.
OCTOBER 24
First Sabahans to sign up for defence
1963: The first batch of 62 young recruits from Sabah enlisted in the Second Battalion Malaysian Rangers took their Oath of Allegiance before Chief Minister Donald Stephens at the police Hq in Kepayan. Stephens said he was happy to see young men of Sabah signing up to defend their country so soon after Independence.
Major Plain, the Chief Recruiting Officer, said the ceremony was unique in that they were the first soldiers ever to be attested in Sabah and that appeals for recruits received excellent response.
Registered party symbols distributed
1962: A card showing the five Party symbols registered under the Local Government Elections Ordinance, 1962, was sent out to Returning Officers for the coming election.
It was understood that each’ party, had to register its symbol despite moves to form an Alliance.
The symbols were: United Sabah National Organisation – Mount Kinabalu; United National Kadazan Organisation – buffalo; Democratic Party of North Borneo – five intersecting rings; United-National Pasok Momogun Organisation – Murut shield and United Party (clasped hands).
ADVERTISEMENT
