Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem described the proposal to secede Sabah and Sarawak from Malaysia as a foolish idea.
    
He said that after 51 years of the formation of Malaysia, it is unfortunate that there are still some people trying to make such a proposal. 
    
"Those who bring these ideas are in the minority. They bring this foolish idea while majority of the people want to stay.
    
"After 51 years of independence via Malaysia, the people have progressed, possess self belief, proud of the state and recovered lost dignity (colonialisation)," Adenan (left) said when speaking at the national level 51st Malaysia Day celebration at Dataran Kipas in Miri yesterday.
    
The Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri, Abdul Taib Mahmud, and his wife, Ragad Kurdi Taib, also attended the ceremony. 
 
Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin were among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony.
    
Adenan said the Sarawak people had experienced many changes in terms of social, economic, political and basic facilities since joining Malaysia.
    
"The presence of thousands of people who occupy Dataran Kipas for Malaysia Day celebrations clearly shows how much we love Malaysia. 
    
"In my 70 years, I never saw so many people assembled in one place. There are about 30,000 to 40,000 attending the celebrations.
    
He said their presence is a way of expressing their love for the country, race and fellow Malaysians.

- Bernama