Kota Kinabalu: The leadership legacy of late Tun Fuad Stephens as Huguan Siou (Paramount Leader) continues to inspire nation-building efforts, said National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
He said Tun Fuad was not only respected by the Kadazandusun community but also served as a bridge of unity that brought together Sabah’s diverse communities, while strengthening ties between Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.
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“Tun Fuad, recognised as an architect of unity, a people-focused leader and statesman, played a significant role in Sabah’s development and the formation of Malaysia in 1963,” he said when officiating a programme celebrating the legacy of Tuan Fuad, titled “The Huguan Siou’s Legacy in Building a Nation”, here, Monday,
The programme, organised by the National Unity Ministry (KPN) through the National Archives of Malaysia (ANM), was held in conjunction with the National Unity Week 2026 celebration.
Aarin said as Sabah’s first Chief Minister, Tun Fuad contributed to the formation of Malaysia by ensuring Sabah’s interests were safeguarded through discussions leading to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the 20-Point Agreement.
He said the title Huguan Siou reflected the community’s trust in Tun Fuad’s leadership, which was built on integrity, courage and sincerity in fostering harmony regardless of race, culture or religion.
“Tun Fuad’s struggle in the formation of Malaysia, the development of Sabah and the unification of people from diverse backgrounds became an important foundation in the nation-building process.
“His contributions remain a lasting legacy that reminds us that the strength of a country comes from unity, mutual respect and the willingness to work together for a shared future,” he said.
Aaron urged Malaysians to continue upholding the values and spirit left behind by Tun Fuad, ensuring the legacy of the Huguan Siou remains alive among future generations.
Meanwhile, National Archives of Malaysia (ANM) Director-General Zaidin Mohd Noor said the agency continues efforts to preserve the legacy of national figures, including late Tun Fuad, through historical documentation initiatives.
In his speech earlier, he said the programme was part of the agency’s continuous efforts since 2022 to document and highlight the contributions of leaders who shaped Malaysia’s history.
Zaidin said similar programmes had previously featured prominent leaders from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, including Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“Historical documentation involving national figures has been carried out by ANM since the 1970s through initiatives such as historical recollections, history forums, community discussions and oral history interviews,” he said.
He said the documentation process was important in preserving the experiences, knowledge and perspectives of individuals who were directly or indirectly involved in the country’s historical development.
“Some historical information may not be fully captured in official records, therefore contributions from individuals and communities help enrich the nation’s historical collections,” he said.
Zaidin emphasised that the ANM currently preserved more than four million records, including about 75,000 files related to Sabah, as well as other materials such as publications, photographs and historical collections.
He encouraged researchers, students and the public to explore historical collections managed by the ANM to better understand the contributions of national figures and draw inspiration from their leadership values.
