CHIEF Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the book “What Sabahans Should Know” offers valuable insight into Sabah’s political history from the perspective of Sabah’s first reporter, the late Datuk Mohd Fauzi Patel.
“I believe writing history books is a highly valuable undertaking because it enables us to view events from multiple perspectives and provides the context needed to interpret what we observe.
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“Therefore, this book is timely – offering a perspective narrated by the late Patel, a journalism figure well known in Sabah’s history,” he said at the book launch held at Sabah State Library in Kota Kinabalu on Feb 14. His speech was read by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
The launch was attended by Patel’s widow Datin Norlaila, former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew, State Attorney General Datuk Brendon Soh and Sabah Publishing House Managing Director Datuk Clement Yeh, among others.
“The title of this book itself invites us to think critically. It suggests there are still many aspects of Sabah’s political history that are not yet fully understood by the public, and highlights the need for more comprehensive documentation and wider public discourse,” he said.
Hajiji congratulated Daily Express Chief Editor Datuk James Sarda and Universiti Malaya’s History Professor Datuk Dr Danny Wong for their efforts in producing it.
The event also saw cheques of RM25,000 each presented to representatives the Good Shepherd Services and Bukit Harapan courtesy of SMJE Sdn Bhd and Datuk Robert Tan.
“I am confident this book will become an important reference, whether as supplementary reading or as an alternative perspective on Sabah’s political history,” he said.
He added that Sabah needs more works of this kind, especially at a time when major issues such as the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) are frequently discussed.
“There are still many past events that must be understood more clearly, because the impact of those events continues to be felt to this day,” he said.
The book compiles the late Fauzi Patel’s views, observations and notes on various issues and controversies involving Sabah, both before and after the formation of Malaysia, some of which remain relevant and continue to be discussed today.
Patel was Sabah’s first full-time journalist in 1954, when the State was still known as British North Borneo.
Over the years, he served with several major media organisations, including the Sabah Times, Sabah Times-North Borneo News, Kinabalu Times and, finally, Kinabalu Sabah Times.
He also wrote a Sunday column for the Daily Express, where he analysed Sabah-related issues as well as national developments affecting the State.
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