The Name of Sabah and the Sustaining of a New Identity in a New Nation

Abstract

When North Borneo achieved its independence through Malaysia on 16 September 1963, it changed its name to Sabah. The change of name was proposed as it was thought that the name was the original name of the state prior to western colonialisation. However, the origin of the name Sabah was not popularly known and the provenance of the name continues to be discussed even until present day. Yet, when the name was introduced in 1963, it was embraced by the people of the state whole-heartedly, and without opposition. It also provided the people of the state a new identity, an identity which they became proud of. The paper will examine the many ideas proposed earlier behind the name of Sabah by examining various evidence. The paper will also trace the evolution of the use of the name over the past 130 years beginning with the Chartered Company era from 1881 to 1942 during which the use of the name was discouraged. The Japanese used another name for the state. It was during the Colonial Era starting 1946 that the term was gradually reintroduced, first, by some quarters in the colonial administration which saw the need to provide the locals with a rallying name, as part of the preparation for eventual self-government. The name was also actively promoted by a rising local leader, Donald Stephens, who believed that the name is the original name of the state. The final part of the paper looks at how the name has inspired new local\/state identity within the new nation of Malaysia.