NGOs: Flag-raising event in Melbourne to symbolise dissatisfaction, not incite sedition

The Malaysian flag (file pic). Photo credit: Dean Moriarty/Pixabay

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Oct 1: The flag-raising event in Melbourne symbolised the continued marginalisation of Sarawak and Sabah and was not intended to incite sedition or violence.

In a joint press statement issued yesterday (Sept 30), the Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand (SSRANZ) and Republic of Sabah North Borneo (RSNB) criticised the politicisation of the event by UMNO and PKR in spreading politically motivated misinformation and manipulating the police to suppress freedom of expression and legitimate grievances.

“This highlights that Malayan parties will always prioritise Malayan interests over those of Sabah and Sarawak, perpetuating domination and exploitation of the two territories,” said the statement.

The non-governmental organisations (NGOs) explained in the statement that the event was a peaceful expression of dissatisfaction with what they considered Malaysia’s ongoing failure to honour its international law obligations under the Malaysia Agreement (MA63).

“The MA63 was framed as an agreement to expand the Federation of Malaya by admitting three new territories (Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak). Rather than creating a new political entity, it merely amended the 1957 Malayan constitution to accommodate the entry of new members.

“This gave the appearance that Malaysia was simply an extension of the Federation of Malaya rather than a newly formed country,” they said.

Last month, a video of the Malaysian flag being taken down and replaced with the flags of Sabah and Sarawak, which was believed to have occurred in front of the Victoria Parliament building in Melbourne, Australia, went viral.

As a result, police have started investigating the video. — DayakDaily