BORNEO’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BOPIMAFO), Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand (SSRANZ) and other concerned non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have opposed and condemn the Madani Government for its proposal to impose restrictive religious rules on race relations in the federation.
These rules are divisive, unfair, unjust and dictatorial. They breach citizens’ civil and human rights, and racial harmony.
As proud citizens of Sabah and Sarawak, we have long upheld the values of religious tolerance, mutual respect, and multicultural harmony. In Borneo, it is normal for families to have members of different faiths, for friends to celebrate each other’s religious festivals, and for communities to support one another regardless of religious background. This is not just our tradition— it is our identity, enshrined in the foundational principles of secularism and pluralism that underpin the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
However, the growing number of violations of these principles, driven by overzealous rule-making by political and religious leaders, threatens the very fabric of our society.
If MA63 is a valid agreement, as it must be, then Malayans must honour and respect its fundamental terms, including the guarantee of religious freedom. Extending arbitrary religious rules from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak is a breach of this agreement and an affront to our rights.
Borneo rejects imported extremism
Unlike Peninsular Malaysia, where religious conservatism has increasingly dictated policies, Sabah and Sarawak have remained beacons of religious freedom and coexistence. We do not view religious gatherings as a threat but as a way to strengthen unity. It is commonplace for Muslims in Borneo to attend Christmas, Gawai, Kaamatan, or Chinese New Year celebrations, just as non-Muslims participate in Hari Raya festivities.
Yet, recent proposals to tighten restrictions on Muslims attending non-Muslim events, funerals, and places of worship are a direct threat to the harmonious way of life we have built. Such policies, driven by rigid and extreme religious interpretations, have no place in our society. Event organisers may now have to seek government approval just to invite Muslim leaders or participants—a bureaucratic overreach that creates unnecessary division and undermines the trust we have built among communities for generations.
Who benefits from these restrictions?
The question we must ask is: Who truly benefits from these policies? Not the people of Borneo, who have thrived in a society where religious identity is a personal matter, not a political tool.
These policies are not designed for the betterment of our communities but are instead an attempt to impose Peninsular-style religious control on Borneo. We have seen how such extremism has divided communities in the Peninsula—we will not allow the same to happen here.
A stand for Borneo’s future and the call for independence
We, the people of Sabah and Sarawak, strongly oppose any attempt to impose restrictive religious policies that do not align with our values. We reject any form of religious extremism that seeks to dictate how we live, celebrate, and mourn together as a community.
If Malaysia truly respects its diversity, then Sabah and Sarawak must be allowed to govern our own religious and cultural affairs without interference.
The harmony we have built is not fragile—it is strong. But we must remain vigilant against policies that seek to divide us. The breaches of MA63 and the erosion of our foundational principles of secularism and pluralism compel us to reconsider our position within Malaysia.
Many had hoped that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim would be the saviour of Malaysia, but the reality is starkly different. Instead of addressing the fundamental breaches of MA63, secularism, and human rights, the Madani Government is bent on turning Malaysia into a religious state. Such incomprehensible social restrictions will only polarise and permanently divide race relations in the federation.
We must condemn this as despicable, anti-human rights, and anti-democratic!
For decades, all races in Sabah and Sarawak coexisted and respected each other’s religions and cultures without government restrictions. However, over the last six decades, Ketuanan Melayu demagogues have exploited race and religion to maintain their power over the federation. Now, the so-called unity government seeks to act as a social-religious dictator, imposing rules that will further divide the people.
Enough is enough: the case for independence
The people of Sabah and Sarawak no longer consider Malaysia a viable, fair, or just federation but a failed and oppressive union. It is no use criticising the religious fanatics without offering a solution. We must express our grave concern and call on all Sabah and Sarawak citizens to review their states’ membership in Malaysia.
Sabah and Sarawak nationalists have consistently pointed out that the multiple fundamental breaches, including that of religious freedom, have violated the Federal Constitution, MA63 and the Basic Structure Doctrine. These were the foundational terms and conditions for Malaysia’s formation and the breach of any fundamental terms would terminate the treaty. The only logical solution is to seek an exit from this dystopian federation.
We must all unite to stand up and tell Malayans that enough is enough. Cast away the illusion that Malaysia was a paradise created mutually by our so-called “forefathers,” who were nominated by the British to represent their interests. The only route forward is independence from Malaya!
Our message is clear: Keep extremism out of Borneo. Honour MA63. Respect our rights. And let Sabah and Sarawak chart their own future as independent nations, free from the oppressive grip of a failed and dystopian federation. – February 7, 2025
The above was issued as a press statement on Feb 6, 2025 in response to the religious affairs minister’s proposal for rules regarding the attendance of Muslims at non-Muslim events. The statement is endorsed by the following undersigned:
Daniel John Jambun, President, Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)
Robert Pei, President, Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand (SSRANZ)
Voon Lee Shan, President, Party Bumi Kenyalang Sarawak (PBK)
Ricky Ganang, Adviser, Forum Adat Masyarakat Dataran Tanah Tinggi (FORMADAT)
Paul Rajah, Human Rights Advocates Sarawak.
Jovilis Majami President Persatuan Pembangunan Sosial Komuniti Sabah (BANGUN)
Cleftus Stephen Mojingol President Pertubuhan Kebajikan Rumpun Dayak Sabah (PKRDS)
Moses Anap President Republic of Sabah North Borneo (RSNB)#