Black Sunday 2.0: Sabah Demands More Autonomy at Rally

People from various Sabah NGO’s joined the Black Sunday 2.0 gathering on 9th August to demand that Sabah be treated as an equal partner of the Federation of Malaysia instead of just another state. Organized by Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) at Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu the group demanded the Federal Government of Malaysia to honour Sabah’s rights enshrined in the 1963 Malaysian Agreement.

The SAPP Vice Youth Chief Yong Yit Yoong said the Federal Government has neglected the Malaysian Agreement 1963 which was agreed by Sabah, Sarawak, Malaya and Singapore upon the forming of  the Federation of Malaysia.

Yong, who is also SAPP Supreme Councillor said Singapore was kicked out from the union for fighting for the rights as equal partners and later Sabah and Sarawak’s rights  had also been taken away by the Federal Government diminishing their autonomy to one of the 13 states of Malaysia over the years.

He had called the Federal Governments to respect Sabah’s autonomy and also called Sabahans to stand up and claim their rights to have the autonomy on education, economy and immigration in the State.

Following Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement that Sabahans had no rights in questioning the issue on immigrants he added the lack of control for example on immigrants had rendered Sabah powerless.

The situation became tense when police officers at the scene begin to confiscate banners and make arrest.

Meanwhile, SAPP Youth chief Jamain Sarudin said the party would hold the Sabah Day celebrations in Kundasang on 31st August this year to create confidence among the people that Kundasang is a safe place for visitors.