When we talk about September 16, 1963, our standard history textbooks often refer to the formation of Malaysia to a simple timeline of diplomatic handshakes between Kuala Lumpur and London. But if we take a closer look at Sabah, and the broader regional landscape, we get to uncover a far richer and higher-stakes narrative. It’s a story shaped by fierce debates over state autonomy, wartime resistance movements and complex cross-border ties across Southeast Asia that existed long before our modern borders were drawn. We sit down with historian Professor Datuk Dr Danny Wong Tze Ken to delve into the untold stories of this momentous day. 

Image Credit: Arkib Negara Malaysia