By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Dec 15: A coalition of human rights activists from Sabah and Sarawak has called for a reassessment of East Malaysia’s position within the Malaysian Federation, citing growing concerns over the Federal government’s alleged promotion of Malay supremacy and racial policies.
In the joint statement, the activists argued that Malaysia is drifting toward these ideologies which betrayed the original spirit of unity and mutual respect that led to the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
“The Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) guaranteed autonomy for Sabah and Sarawak, including control over our resources, religion, and education. However, over the decades, these promises have been systematically eroded.
“Instead of fulfilling the commitments of MA63, the Federal government has prioritised Malay supremacy and policies that marginalise the ethnic Bornean tribes and Chinese communities who form the majority in East Malaysia,” they said in a joint statement today.
Amid this context, the coalition urged Sabah and Sarawak to consider withdrawing from Malaysia and pursuing independence as a means to ensure fairness and development for their communities.
They argued that self-determination would enable East Malaysia to build a nation founded on inclusivity, equality, and mutual respect, free from the racial and religious extremism dominating the peninsula.
“Malaysia’s move toward Malay supremacy is a direct threat to the harmony and justice envisioned in MA63.
“If the Federal government continues to ignore the legitimate concerns of Sabah and Sarawak, the only logical path forward is to withdraw from Malaysia and reclaim our autonomy,” they added.
The statement was jointly issued by the Sarawak Association for Peoples Aspiration (SAPA) publicity and information chief Peter John Jaban, Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) president Daniel John Jambun, Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand (SSRANZ) president Robert Pei, Persatuan Etnik Dayak Asal Sarawak (PEDAS) representative William Watson, Persatuan Pembangunan Sosial Komuniti Sabah (BANGUN) president Jovilis Majami, Persatuan Prihatin Mualaf Sabah president Waynin Setimin, Bulang Birieh Dayak co-founder Alim Ga Mideh, Forum Adat Dataran Tanah Tinggi Borneo (FORMADAT) advisor Ricky Ganang and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Rumpun Dayak Sabah (PKRDS) president Cleftus Stephen Mojingol. – DayakDaily
