What Sabahans Should Know” offers insight into Sabah’s political history

14 February 2026

KOTA KINABALU: The book “What Sabahans Should Know” offers valuable insight into Sabah’s political history, from the perspective of one of Sabah’s prominent journalists, the late Datuk Mohd Fauzi Patel.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said, “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."

“Therefore, this book is timely - offering a perspective narrated by the late Datuk Mohd Fauzi Patel, a journalism figure well known in Sabah’s history,” he said at the book launch held at the Sabah State Library, here today.

His speech was delivered by Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

“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 it

highlights the need for more comprehensive documentation and wider public discourse,”

he said.

Hajiji congratulated Datuk James Sarda and Datuk Dr Danny Wong for their efforts in

publishing the book.

“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.

Fauzi 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.