Malaysia Monument

The Malaysia Monument is a structure in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, erected to commemorate the formation of Malaysia in 1963. The monument was sponsored by the local Chinese community and is located near the Kota Kinabalu City Hall, where it is still used as part of Malaysia Day celebrations.

Malaysia Monument
Tugu Peringatan Malaysia 馬來西亞建國紀念
General information
Type	Monument
Location	Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Coordinates	5°58′56″N 116°04′32″E / 5.98222°N 116.07556°E / 5.98222; 116.07556
Completed	16 September 1963
Cost	$11,000
Management	Kota Kinabalu City Hall

History

In 1963, the Malaysia Agreement was signed, which saw North Borneo (now Sabah) join the Federation of Malaya to form Malaysia.^: 26 The Chinese community of Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu), the capital of North Borneo, discussed several proposals to commemorate the union, eventually agreeing 20 days before the expected union date of 16 September (what would become Malaysia Day) to erect a permanent memorial.^: 27 A monument was quickly constructed in time for the event. It was unveiled by the first governor of Sabah, Datu Mustapha Datu Harun.

The monument degraded over time, and its original plaque went missing, perhaps being stolen.^: 34 Restoration works funded by government funds allocated to Assemblywoman Christina Liew finished before Malaysia Day in 2019. These added a fountain and coloured lights near the monument. Liew was at the time Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment and noted the monument's relevance to local history and tourism.

The monument continues to play a role in local Malaysia Day celebrations. There are proposals to designate the monument as a cultural heritage site.^: 32 It is currently managed by the city council.^: 36

Location

The monument is located in Deasoka Square, a busy area near the Kota Kinabalu City Hall.^: 26, 32 It was initially built near the Keng Chew Association.

Design

The monument cost $11,000. It reflects Chinese design and has text in Chinese, English, and Malay.^: 32

A plaque on the monument is inscribed in English and Chinese with "Sponsored By North Borneo Chinese Association & Jesselton Chinese Chamber of Commerce. This Monument Is Built By The People Of Jesselton To The Founding of Malaysia on 16th September 1963".

Gallery

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tugu Peringatan Malaysia (Kota Kinabalu).

• Plaque on the monument
• Fountain in front of the monument

References

1. Fendi Tunai Yahya (December 2022). "Tugu Peringatan Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah". Jurnal Borneo Akhailogia (Warisan, Arkeologi & Sejarah) (in Malay). 7 (1): 25–42. eISSN 2600-8726.
2. "Malaysia monument gift by the Chinese". Daily Express. 6 November 1994. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
3. "Gift by Sabah's Chinese community is restored". Daily Express. 4 December 2019. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
4. "Meaningful mini carnival to mark Malaysia Day". Borneo Post. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2024.