KOTA KINABALU, Aug 21 — Sabah will celebrate the inaugural Sabah Day on August 31, commemorating its independence from the British 60 years ago.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the State Cabinet made the decision during its meeting last week and chose Tambunan as the venue for the historic celebrations.

"It was also decided that the celebrations to mark Sabah’s important historical milestone, will be celebrated annually with the venue to be rotated among the districts,” said Hajiji.

"Let us honour and commemorate the day which marked the end of the British colonial rule in Sabah and signifying our journey of coming together as a people to establish self-rule.”

He said the event in Tambunan is scheduled at 3pm after the National Day celebrations in here.

After gaining its independence, Sabah subsequently formed the Federation of Malaysia with Malaya, Sarawak and Singapore on September 16, 1963.