WHY 'SECESSION' IS A NON-ISSUE FOR SABAH AND SARAWAK

Look at Singapore how they have advanced from a 3rd world though physically small, developed beyond the wildest expectation into  an economic giant without any natural resources. It has been Southeast Asia's most modern city for over a century. Singapore having similar history with Sabah Sarawak offers us many good examples of good governence.

The legal precedent created by the unilateral seperation of Singapore - a break away from the Malaysia Agreement 1963 opens the door for Sabah Sarawak to exit similarly. If Singapore can do it Sabah Sarawak can do it too. This is not "secession" . To break away from the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is not "Secession".

In accordance with Article 160 of the current Federal Constitution ; Interpretation - the Federation is defined as 'the Federation established under the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957'. This definirion does not include Sabah Sarawak for the simple reason, Sabah Sarawak were/are never part of Malaya and never signed this agreement. As we all know Sabah Saeawak only signed the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

So legally for the past 52 years since 16 Sept 1963, Sabah Sarawak existed as Self-Governing States/Nations outside the jurisdiction constitutionally. There is no need for Sabah Sarawak to get out of "malaysia"; they are already outside : how to get out when they were never in on the first place; therefore the question of "secession" is a non- issue.

There can only be One Malaysia; based either on (1) The Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957 ..or.... (2) The Malaysia Agreement 1963.

Actually, "malaysia" as defined under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 was only conceived, proclaimed on 16 September 1963 and after that it was never realised , was abandoned and what was in place was the continuation of the Federation of Malaya 1957 withn a name changed to "malaysia" - Malaya and "malaysia" are one and the same international person - this was what the permanent representative of Malaya reported to the Secretary General of the United Nations on 16 September 1963 ; the day "malaysia" was proclaimed.

In order to adopt the Malaysia Agreement 1963 into the cinstitution, the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957 must first be abolished. This however is not as simple as it may seem, because if this agreement is abolished, it will set free the 11 states of Malaya free to independence; the oil rich states of Kelantan and Terengganu are too anxious to take full control and ownership of their oil wealth to be like Brunei and states like Penang, Selangor and Johor (industrially developed) would emulate the likes of Singapore.

Such being the case, from the current constitutional scenario, It is clear that ; there can only be ONE MALAYSIA ; constituted by :-

(a)  the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957 which does not include Sabah Sarawak...or......

(b)   the Malaysia Agreement 1963 which does not include the 11 states of Malaya.

Sabah Sarawak can continue as they were Self-Governing Status which was attained on 31 August and 22 July 1963 respectively from the British in peace without any interference from any party. The natural option that is open to them  can always be to seek Self-Determination if the people wishes to do so ; by submitting a Petition to the United Nations for a change of their status from that of 'Change in Status' to that of 'Independence' peacefully without any interference from any quarters legally in pursuit of the United Nations Charter for Decolonisation as of right to be exercised at will at any time of their own choosing as protected by International Law.

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"Ancaman dan Ugutan Terhadap Pemimpin Dahulu Kini Berulang Lagi"

Jikalau anda semua mahu tahu tentang bagaimana kerajaan persekutuan tanah melayu yang telah menyamar menjadi kerajaan malaysia mengugut dan mengancam pemimpin-pemimpin Nasionalis Kebangsaan di Negara Sabah dan Negara Sarawak dahulu ialah dengan cara yang mereka lakukan kepada pihak SSKM-SSU(UK) sekarang ini.

Liputan media siang dan malam daripada pemimpin-pemimpin malaya yang disokong oleh barua malaya di negara Sabah dan negara Sarawak untuk menghasut rakyat membenci golongan-golongan yang bercakap benar dan yang berjuang untuk menuntut hak.

Apa yang berlaku dahulu kini sedang berulang lagi pada zaman ini. Tetapi pihak kami akan memastikan teknik tersebut akan terkubur selamanya. Selagi Negara Sabah dan Negara Sarawak berada dalam persekutuan ini, selagi itulah mereka tidak akan berdiam untuk mengancam dan mengugut bangsa Borneo untuk tunduk kepada mereka... Inilah yang sebenarnya berlaku dahulu dan sekarang.

Bezanya sekarang ialah sistem komunikasi kini sudah maju dan segala informasi tidak lagi bergantung kepada satu sumber. Kita mampu membuat pembacaan lebih, membuat perbandingan serta kajian sendiri untuk menilai sejauh manakah kebenaran yang disampaikan oleh pihak SSKM ini dan sejauh manakah kebenaran tentang dakwaan pemimpin-pemimpin malaya dan barua malaya terhadap perjuangan SSKM ini. Maklumat sudah tersebar dan tinggal anda sahaja yang perlu memutuskannya. Mahu terhasut untuk membenci perjuangan ini atau mahu bersama-sama dalam perjuangan menuntut hak kita sebagai Bangsa yang Merdeka dan Berdaulat.

Anda akan mampu melihatnya... Perjuangan ini akan melahirkan Bangsa Negara Sabah dan Bangsa Negara Sarawak yang Berani dan Jujur dalam Perjuangan menuntut dan melindungi hak Bangsa Borneo.

Jangan sesekali memandang tinggi kepada kepimpinan malaya sebab mereka hanyalah golongan yang bergantung kepada sumber kekayaan Negara Sabah dan Negara Sarawak. 

Bukan kita yang perlu takut kepada mereka sebaliknya mereka yang perlu takut kepada kita...

Jikalau mereka masih mendakwa bahawa pihak SSKM-SSU(UK) ini terdiri daripada golongan minoriti, maka adalah menjadi satu cabaran untuk pihak kami menjadikannya kumpulan yang majoriti.

Demi Bangsa Negara Sabah dan Bangsa Negara Sarawak, perjuangan ini MESTI BERJAYA!

Sebarkan...

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More arrests could follow after 9 Sabah secessionists arrested, says IGP

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 2, 2015 : The arrest of nine individuals who were handing out pro-secession brochures in Sabah should assist police in identifying the ringleaders, according to a Twitter posting by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar today.

“Nabbing the nine will lead us to the main culprit or culprits. Soon I supposed (sic),” wrote Khalid Abu Bakar today in response to a post by Sabah Progressive Party president Datuk Yong Teck Lee.

Last night, he praised Sabah police for the arrest on the micro-blogging site.

“Well done Sabah police arrest nine individuals in Tuaran for distributing brochures instigating the people to get Sabah out of Malaysia. WELL DONE Boys,” read a post by Khalid.

Yesterday, The News Straits Times reported that the nine, who were suspected to be linked to the Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) movement, were arrested on Sunday morning and were released nine hours later on police bail.

According to the report, the situation outside the Tuaran district police headquarters was initially chaotic when police did not allow people claiming to be “friends” of the 9 to bail them out.

The Tuaran police station’s gates were apparently closed at about 3pm and a Light Strike Force was deployed within its compound after more people turned up at the station.

Among them were Yong, former Deputy Minister Datuk Kalakau Untol and a former state assemblyman Datuk James Ligunjang.

At about 5pm, 18 people were allowed to enter and all 9 of those arrested were released.

Ligunjang posted photos of the incident on his Facebook page, stating that he was among the crowd leaving the police station.

“Let it be known that we are prepared to pay whatever price to fight for the rights of the people,” read the post.

Source: http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/02/02/arrests-follow-9-sabah-secessionists-arrested-says-igp/

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Anwar’s position on issues affecting Sabah, Sarawak have shifted – Bumburing

KOTA KINABALU: Parliamentary opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim seems to have shifted his position on issues affecting Sabah and Sarawak since the 13th general election, APS president Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Bumburing said.

“I am of the opinion that the people of Sarawak, and for that matter, the people of Sabah, would disagree with Anwar for saying that Sarawak is not a good example of an autonomous state in Malaysia,” the Tamparuli assemblyman said.

Bumburing added Anwar had based his analysis on the issue of poverty and corruption in the government to come to a conclusion that being autonomous, Sarawak had lagged behind the rest of the states in the country.

If that is what Anwar considered as the underlying reason for his analysis on Sarawak being still less developed compared to the other States, then why are the people of Sabah still poor today after basically losing her autonomy? he asked.

“I believe that Sarawakians still cherish the fact that, by and large, their autonomy as provided for and written in the Malaysian agreement had continued to be intact and preserved and they are ever ready to protect and defend their rights,” he noted in a statement yesterday.

According to Bumburing, Sarawak may be poor in a sense, but it is not because of them being an autonomous State. He added that Kelantan enjoys full autonomy and yet they are considered poor.

Anwar’s view on the issue of the autonomy of Sabah and Sarawak gave the impression that the people of Sabah and Sarawak may not be enjoying any sympathetic ears, even from a Pakatan Rakyat government, he opined.

“Anwar also avoided explaining the issue of the Malaysian Agreement, which stipulates an equal partnership between Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and Malaya, each time he is asked or confronted on the issue.

“He also did not say outright whether he supports the call by Sabahans and Sarawakians for a review of the Malaysian Agreement, which should have been done 40 years ago, but only briefly said that the unhappiness of the people had to be addressed,” he said.

Bumburing added that the ultimate reason behind the unhappiness of the people of Sabah and Sarawak is that the spirit of the Malaysian agreement had not been respected. On the issue of National Day, September 16th should be celebrated as the National Day because Malaysia only became a nation on that day and not August 31st. History cannot be changed.

The whole nation should celebrate this day and not merely declare it as a public holiday. Every year only Sabah and Sarawak celebrate September 16th while there are no celebrations nationwide. What is Pakatan’s stand on this? he asked.

According to Bumburing, Anwar also appeared to have shifted his stand on the illegal immigrant issue.

“During the election campaigning trail in Sabah he agreed on my point that many citizenships were given unlawfully to illegal immigrants in Sabah and he expressly said during most of his ceramahs that this has to be resolved,” he said.

“When he was called to testify during the RCI hearing, his tone was different. And now, he is talking about international norms and practices. My stand is that most countries do have migrant population, including Malaysia, but these are migrants who come into the country legally, except those displaced refugees.

“These legal migrants, after legally staying for so many years, can apply for permanent stay or citizenship via the normal process. However in the case of Sabah, Malaysian ICs were deliberately issued and given to illegal immigrants like ‘pisang goreng’ on the street. This is proven in the evidence adduced during the RCI hearings. It seems that now the government has put the whole RCI hearing and reports on the back burner.

“I have said in Parliament that the action by the government in giving away citizenship to foreigners is like inviting outsiders into our house and giving them a knife. The Tanduo intrusion can never be less than a stark reminder of what might happen in the future.

The government should not be unduly jittery on the so-called Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) group.

“I have said in the State Assembly sitting recently that the SSKM is likened to that of a son who was neglected by the father on his request for certain necessities for so long. After enduring a deaf ear from the father, he threatens to run away from home, raising red flag to the father to draw his attention. The real demand from the people is a review of the Malaysian agreement,” he stressed.

The government, he feels, should partake a positive approach by calling for dialogue and listening to the underlying issues instead of waging threats of arrest under the Sedition Act.

“Once again, I would like to remind the government that the real threat to national unity and integrity is the presence of huge numbers of immigrants in Sabah, many of whom were given ICs for short-term political expediency of those in power. The risk of a reverse takeover in Sabah is more than just a possibility in the future if the government does not take corrective step today,” he stressed.

On the arrest of nine people in Tuaran under the Sedition Act, Bumburing called on the government to relook their policy towards Sabah as a sovereign State within Malaysia.

As earlier said, the call by Sabahans for a review of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) has reached a pivotal point where the Federal Government must look into what short-changes they have made on Sabah in as far as State’s right is concerned as provided for under the MA63.

“These call for equality, for restoration of indigenous rights, which is clearly defined in the MA63, must not be construed as secession plot. It is not too late to call for a meeting among all the stakeholders and have a relook into the MA63 to rectify any wrongs that have been done,” he pointed out.

Source: http://www.theborneopost.com/2015/02/03/anwars-position-on-issues-affecting-sabah-sarawak-have-shifted-bumburing/

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Kenyataan RASMI SSKM-SSU(UK) berhubung dengan Insiden Penahanan Sukarelawan-Sukarelawati di Tuaran

Salam sejahtera dan salam perpaduan kepada semua Bangsa Negara Sabah dan Bangsa Negara Sarawak yang Merdeka dan Berdaulat. Saya Doris Jones mewakili sebuah Kumpulan sosial didalam Facebook dengan nama Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia yang kini sudah bergerak dibawah naungan sebuah badan NGO yang berdaftar secara SAH dibawah bidang kuasa Perundangan United Kingdom  of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) iaitu Sabah Sarawak Union (UK) ingin membuat satu kenyataan RASMI berhubung dengan Insiden Penahanan Sukarelawan-sukarelawan SSKM-SSU(UK) di Daerah Tuaran yang bertarikh 1 Februari 2015.

Pihak kami telah dimaklumkan bahawa penahanan oleh pihak polis terhadap sukarelawan-sukarelawati SSKM-SSU(UK) pada jam 10.45 am adalah disebabkan oleh beberapa alasan. Antaranya adalah kerana sukarelawan-sukarelawati telah memungut tandatangan dikalangan orang awam bagi petisyen untuk menuntut hak-hak Bangsa Negara Sabah dan Bangsa Negara Sarawak agar ia dikembalikan dan dihormati. Selain itu juga, mereka ditahan atas sebab baju yang dipakai oleh sukarelawan-sukarelawati adalah berunsur "kenegerian @ Sabahan".

Jumlah yang telah ditangkap adalah seramai 9 orang yang mana 3 orang adalah daripada NGO SSKM-SSU(UK), 4 orang daripada NGO Semangat Satu Perjuangan Rakyat (SSPR) dan 2 orang adalah sukarelawan baru. Aktiviti memungut tandatangan petisyen ini adalah jalinan kerjasama terbuka kepada semua orang yang menyokong perjuangan menuntut hak Bangsa Negara Sabah dan Bangsa Negara Sarawak. Ia disahuti dengan sukarela tanpa sebarang paksaan mahupun bayaran.

Berdasarkan maklumat yang diterima pada waktu tengah hari bersamaan hari Ahad itu, telefon bimbit sukarelawan-sukarelawati yang ditahan didalam balai polis tuaran telah dirampas bagi tujuan siasatan. Tiga orang sukarelawati telah digari menggunakan "plastic cuff".

Apa yang menyedihkan pihak kami ialah pihak Polis telah melakukan tindakan tanpa mengikut prosedur yang betul. Mereka dinafikan hak untuk mendapatkan peguam bela malah dipaksa untuk menurunkan tandatangan yang menyatakan bahawa mereka bersetuju untuk didakwa dibawah akta hasutan 1948. Tambahan lagi penerangan mereka telah dirakam. Selain itu, Pintu pagar utama balai polis Tuaran telah ditutup dan kelihatan anggota-anggota FRU telah bersedia seolah-olah menganggap pihak kami ingin merusuh ke dalam balai polis. Sebuah ambulans telah dipanggil polis untuk datang sebagai persedian jikalau berlaku sebarang kekecohan yang akan mendatangkan kecederaan.

Sokongan telah datang tanpa henti malah jumlahnya semakin bertambah sejak tengah hari sehinggalah ke waktu petang. Datuk Yong Teck Lee dan En.Amde Sidek telah dipanggil untuk memberikan khidmat bantuan guaman kepada 9 orang sukarelawan-sukarelawati namun kuasa guaman mereka telah dinafikan oleh seorang pegawai polis berpangkat Ch.Supt Fuad Bin Abdul Malik yang juga merupakan OCPD diluar pintu pagar balai polis Tuaran.

Berlaku perdebatan diantara pihak polis dengan penyokong yang telah datang. Pihak kami juga telah difahamkan bahawa En.Hasmin Azroy telah diugut oleh pihak polis kerana didakwa mengganggu siasatan polis. Apabila beliau menyoal pihak polis tersebut dibawah akta apakah mereka ditahan, pihak polis tersebut dengan jelas mengatakan "Tiada akta". Seterusnya En.Hasmin Azroy menjawab, jikalau tiada akta atas penahanan mereka, mengapa mereka tidak dibenarkan untuk mendapatkan guaman dan ditahan seolah-olah seperti penjenayah? Perdebatan terus berlangsung sehinggalah ke waktu petang yang telah menyaksikan kehadiran penyokong perjuangan menuntut hak-hak bangsa Negara Sabah dan bangsa Negara Sarawak telah meningkat sehingga 80 orang. Yang turut hadir bersama dalam perdebatan pada waktu itu juga adalah En.Jalibin Paidi yang merupakan Presiden NGO SSPR dan beberapa penyokong perjuangan ini.

Datuk James Ligunjang dan juga Datuk Kelakau Untol juga telah bergegas datang untuk memberikan sokongan. Yang turut hadir juga untuk memberikan sokongan adalah En.James Steven, Dexter Chin dan Stephan Gaimin.

Kesemua 9 sukarelawan-sukarelawati telah dibebaskan dengan jaminan 18 orang penjamin yang mana pihak polis telah meminta 2 orang penjamin untuk setiap tahanan. Mereka telah dibebaskan pada jam 5.45 pm dan disambut dengan lagu Kebangsaan Negara Sabah iaitu Sabah Tanah Airku.

Pihak kami juga difahamkan bahawa pada 13 Februari 2015 ini, kesemua 9 orang sukarelawan-sukarelawati telah dikehendaki untuk datang semula ke balai polis Tuaran untuk memberikan keterangan bagi membantu siasatan.

Kesimpulan daripada insiden ini, pihak kami mengecam sekeras-kerasnya tindakan pihak polis yang telah bertindak menahan sukarelawan-sukarelawati ini dan tindakan mereka boleh ditafsirkan sebagai mengganggu aktiviti SSKM-SSU(UK). Penafian guaman kepada penahanan ini jelas membuktikan perlanggaran hak asasi. 

Ingin pihak kami sampaikan mesej kepada kerajaan persekutuan tanah melayu (malaya) yang telah menyamar menjadi kerajaan persekutuan malaysia bahawa penahanan ini sedikit pun tidak akan membuatkan pihak kami berundur malah ia memberikan satu kekuatan lagi untuk berdepan dengan lebih baik jikalau insiden seumpama ini berulang lagi. Perjuangan ini tidak menyalahi undang-undang mahupun perlembagaan negara malah ia sebenarnya dilindungi. 

Jikalau ia menyalahi undag-undang dan perlembagaan negara, sila nyatakan dengan jelas dan bawakan hal ini ke makhamah untuk diputuskan. Saya sebagai pengasas kepada perjuangan ini mencabar pihak kerajaan menyamar ini untuk memfailkan saman kepada saya di UK agar perkara ini dapat diputuskan untuk menentukan siapakah yang sebenarnya bersalah dan melanggar undang-undang serta perlembagaan. Sebarang dakwaan haruslah ditujukan kepada saya dan bukan kepada sukarelawan-sukarelawati. Perbuatan mendakwa mereka adalah satu bukti yang jelas bahawa kerajaan menyamar ini hanya mampu untuk membuli dan mengugut rakyat negara Sabah dan rakyat negara Sarawak agar berdiam daripada bersuara menuntut kebenaran dan hak yang sememangnya milik bangsa Negara Sabah dan bangsa Negara Sarawak.

Sesungguhnya pihak antarabangsa sedang mengikuti segala perkembangan yang berlaku di negara Sabah dan negara Sarawak setiap hari.

Akhir kata, pihak kami daripada SSKM-SSU(UK) ingin merakamkan ribuan terima kasih kepada semua orang yang terlibat dalam pembebasan sukarelawan-sukarelawati yang telah memungut tandatangan petisyen untuk menuntut hak bangsa Negara Sabah dan bangsa Negara Sarawak. Penyokong-penyokong kepada perjuangan hak yang telah hadir di balai Polis Tuaran telah memberikan kekuatan semangat dan dorongan kepada perjuangan ini. Tidak lupa juga sokongan yang telah diterima melalui media sosial iaitu didalam Facebook dan Whatsapp. Pihak kami juga ingin memanjangkan penghargaan kepada pemberita yang datang untuk membuat liputan berita ini.

Ribuan Terima Kasih Tidak Terhingga pihak kami ucapakan sekali lagi!

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Nine probed for supporting Sabah secession group sets up legal team

KOTA KINABALU, Feb 3 — A legal team is being set up to defend the nine individuals under investigation for their alleged support of pro-secession movement Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM).

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee confirmed today that the nine are currently in the process of selecting their lawyers.

The politician said, however, that he was “not yet” a part of the legal team that will defend the group believed to be part of the controversial SSKM.

“They are choosing their lawyers and they have asked for help,” said Yong, adding that he has yet to meet with the nine since Sunday night, after their release from police custody.

Yong, whose party is known for its call for autonomy for Sabah, said he discovered from the nine that their mobile phones were confiscated when he spoke briefly to them at the Tuaran district police station on Sunday.

Nine individuals aged between 24 and 50 years were arrested in Tuaran on Sunday for handing out allegedly seditious pamphlets and mounting a signature campaign pushing for Sabah rights.

A brief commotion, including the singing of Sabah’s state anthem, took place outside the police station later when friends of the nine arrested, as well as several SAPP leaders, were denied entry.

The nine were later released on RM2,000 bail the same evening.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Zahid Hamidi had last year issued stern warnings to supporters of the call for Sabah and Sarawak to leave Malaysia, saying those involved in any secessionist movement will face the law.

UK-based lawyer Doris Jones, who has claimed to be the person behind the SSKM social media group, defended the group’s actions and said the presence of the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) during Sunday’s arrest was unnecessary.

“I declare that all our volunteers are free from arm weapons and why FRU are ready for them still in question,” she said in a Facebook post today.

Jones, who claims to be the founder of UK-based “Sabah Sarawak Union” said she found the incident “appalling,” and called on Putrajaya to bring the matter up to the  International Criminal court.

State CID chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Datuk Salehhudin Abdul Rahman when contacted by Malay Mail Online this afternoon said that the police are still investigating the incident and will submit their findings to the deputy public prosecutor’s office for further action.

The case is being investigated under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act for printing, publishing, selling (or offering for sale), distribution, reproduction or importation of seditious materials.

Talk of secession became rife in August last year, with groups across several social media platforms organising themselves into a loose alliance and operating under the SSKM banner.

The movement gained traction, particularly among youths and youngsters in rural Sabah and Sarawak, who called for a review of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 that saw four distinct groups: The Federation of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak, and North Borneo — now called Sabah — combine forces to form one nation.

Source: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/nine-probed-for-supporting-sabah-secession-group-sets-up-legal-team#sthash.2AG3c3fj.wiePXzGb.dpuf

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‘Tuaran police seem well prepared for arrest of SSKM activists’

KOTA KINABALU, Feb 2, 2015: Police seemed to be well prepared for the Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) activists, judging from the backup and food for their long night of work.

“It was as though they (police) were expecting us. They had the FRUs (Federal Reserve Unit), ambulance and oddly, catered food,” Sabah Sarawak Union (UK) member Milin Biok told The Rakyat Post, adding that it was the first time they had any problem with the “authority”.

Although he was not one of them, Milin said the nine arrested were part of volunteers going around to collect signatures for a petition, established by the Sabah Sarawak people.

“This petition is an outcry over the injustice towards Sabah and Sarawak because for 51 years, the two states was sidelined compared to Malaya states,” he said.

He said they were calling for the review of the Constitution and the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

However, Milin declined to elaborate furthermore the issues, adding that their teams of lawyers would be sitting soon to discuss on their next cause of action.

“We will come out with an official statement soon to stop all these speculations,” he said.

The nine Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) activists were detained for several hours at the Tuaran district police headquarters for questioning on Sunday.

It was learnt that they were nabbed while soliciting signatures for a petition seeking the secession of Sabah at the weekly tamu (open market) in Tuaran about 10am.

Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, who was called by the nine to be their legal counsel and to bail them out, said he was informed of their detention about 1.30pm, and saw FRU personnel stationed at the main gate.

“We arrived there about 3pm and by that time, a crowd of some 50 people were already waiting at the gate,” said the Sabah Progressive Party president.

He alleged that the police had called for an ambulance to be on stand-by near the police station due to concerns that the huge turnout would turn ugly.

Yong said at 5.10pm, 18 people were asked to be guarantors, two for each detainee, and that the nine were released about 6.20pm.

Veteran Sabah politician Datuk James Ligunjang, who also came to the activists’ rescue, said Yong and himself had volunteered to be among the guarantors.

“I heard rumours that I was among the nine; it is indeed incorrect.

“I went to Tuaran because I was told that some.of the activists had worn the Hormati Perjanjian Malaysia (Respect the Malaysian Agreement) T-shirt, which I initiated as part of my campaign to gain people’s support for the review of the five decades old agreement,” he said.

Ligunjang said the activists, whom he described as “passionate Sabahans”, are expected to report to the Tuaran police station on Feb 13.

“Are we going to sue the police? For now, we cannot decide … we will cross the bridge once we get there,” he said.

Sabah State Reform Party (Sabah Star) chief Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan meanwhile expressed disappointment over the activists’ arrest, adding that the heavy presence of enforcers showed an inability to deal with such a situation.

“The activists were just voicing out the people’s grouses. This is probably their last resort after all past efforts had gone to deaf ears.

“Promises after promises from the federal government; that they will listen and consider what East Malaysians want, yet nothing is done,” he said.

Kitingan said the authorities seem to be practising favouritism.

“The police should be arresting those issuing identification cards to illegal immigrants, or maybe (Perkasa president) Datuk Ibrahim Ali who is obviously inciting people and who always comes up with controversial statements.”

He added that the authorities’ recent actions might backfire as it would encourage more rallies in the future.

Source: http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2015/02/02/tuaran-police-seem-well-prepared-arrest-sskm-activists/#ixzz3QhSgBPpq

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‘Nations Without States’ deplores Tuaran arrests

“Their only crime it seems is attempting to collect signatures for a petition.”

KOTA KINABALU: Nations Without States (NWS), a UK-based organisation supported by the National Liberal Party, has issued a statement deploring the arrests of nine Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) activists in Tuaran on Sunday.

SSKM is a movement headed by the Sabah Sarawak Union (UK) led by UK-based activist Doris Jones. Both are members of NWS.

“Their only crime it seems is attempting to collect signatures for a petition calling upon Malaysia (read Malaya) to put back their rights and the wealth they are extracting from their country (Sabah),” said NWS Director Graham Williamon in the statement which was also signed by Doris Jones as head of the NWS Committee and Diaspora for North Borneo.

“The Malayan authorities (where the central power resides) clearly do not like their policies to be criticised, especially within the nations they control.”

While they might like to act like a dictatorship, added the statement, “they are a part of the Commonwealth which is supposed to promote freedom of expression”.

“Either, Malaysia must leave that body or the Commonwealth must act against them.”

The nine SSKM volunteers including three women, arrested and detained at the Tuaran Police Station, were released after their statements were recorded, according to eye-witnesses at the scene who uploaded an update via WhatsApp.

It’s not known whether they will face any charges.

Earlier, the arrests and detention went viral on social media, especially WhatsApp and Facebook which had pictures uploaded. Apparently, they were picked up at the tamu (fair) grounds while handing out a petition for signatures.

There was some kind of stand-off outside the gates of the police station, according to these reports, “and riot police were mobilised to block the entrance”.

Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar had this tweet in his account on Sunday night: “Well done @Sabah police arrest nine individuals in Tuaran for distributing brochures instigating the people to get Sabah out of Malaysia. WELLDONE Boys,” he said.

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/02/03/nations-without-states-deplores-tuaran-arrests/

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Ini Adalah Panggilan Semangat Nasionalisme

Terlalu banyak berita diluar sana yang cuba menghasut rakyat Negara Sabah dan rakyat Negara Sarawak untuk membenci perjuangan menuntut Hak Mutlak Negara Sabah dan Negara Sarawak. Malah ada juga rakyat yang bersetuju dan cuba menghalang perjuangan ini yang sebenarnya berusaha untuk menyelamatkan masa depan generasi mereka. 

Dalam konteks ini, siapakah yang sebenarnya menghasut? Jikalau benar takut akan perkara ini berlaku daripada menjadi realiti, mengapa sehingga sekarang tiada usaha untuk mengkaji semula perjanjian malaysia? Andai kata pihak kami bersalah, kami dengan bermaruah akan mengundur diri serta menyerahkan diri di Balai Polis. Tetapi selagi perkara ini tidak mendapat pembelaan di peringkat antarabangsa, maka pihak kami tidak akan sesekali berganjak daripada perjuangan ini.

Ugutan yang kini dilakukan oleh ketua polis negara samseng serta pemimpin-pemimpin malaya termasuk pemimpin-pemimpin tempatan di Negara Sabah dan Negara Sarawak (barua malaya) langsung tidak mengentarkan semangat perjuangan ini. Apa yang berlaku hanyalah senyuman sinis terukir dan ketawa sebab kelucuan apabila melihat perbuatan dan tindakan yang dilakukan oleh golongan yang sepatutnya dihormati tetapi dipihak kami ia adalah disebaliknya. 

Ini bukan zaman 60an yang mana anda boleh menakutkan rakyat dengan amaran ataupun ancaman. Perjuangan ini melibatkan nyawa dan masa depan bangsa Borneo. Pihak kami mempunyai Tanggungjawab Moral untuk berdiri dan berjuang untuk mempertahankan Hak serta Kebenaran yang selama ini telah dinodai dan diperkosa oleh kepimpinan pemimpin-pemimpin malaya dan tempatan (barua malaya) tanpa sebarang arahan daripada mana-mana pihak kerana ia adalah Panggilan Nasionalisme untuk melindungi masa depan Bangsa Negara Sabah dan Bangsa Negara Sarawak tanpa mengharapkan sebarang habuan, pangkat ataupun nama. 

Pihak kami juga bukan seperti pemimpin-pemimpin dahulu yang begitu lantang bersuara tetapi akhirnya kini telah menjelma menjadi kerbau-kerbau diladang ternakan malaya. 

Jangan fikir kami akan tunduk kepada sebarang propaganda rasis dan permainan perlagaan keagamaan kerana kami tidak akan sesekali tergugat. Ini kerana kami terdiri daripada pejuang-pejuang yang berbeza agama dan etnik tetapi mempunyai hormat yang tinggi antara satu sama lain. Perkara ini adalah cukup matang untuk ditangani oleh bangsa Borneo di Negara Sabah dan Negara Sarawak.

Perjuangan kami adalah mengikut lunas undang-undang tanpa melakukan sebarang gangguan kepada orang awam, ancaman fizikal, kerosakan fasiliti kerajaan mahupun huru-hara. Namun apa yang dapat dilihat sekarang, nampaknya malaya seperti sedang merancang sesuatu untuk menimbulkan huru-hara dan perlagaan perkauman agar mereka boleh menuduh pihak kami menjadi punca keatas segala perkara ini. Dan dengan itu, mereka akan menjustifikasikan tindakan mereka konon-kononnya adalah atas dasar kepentingan negara.

Sebelum perkara itu benar-benar berlaku, pihak kami terlebih dahulu ingin MENAFIKAN SEKERAS-KERASNYA bahawa PIHAK KAMI TIDAK AKAN SESEKALI MENIMBULKAN SEBARANG RUSUHAN ATAU DEMONSTRASI HARAM. Pihak kami hanya memungut tandatangan tanpa paksaan melalui petisyen untuk dijadikan sokongan dan bukti kepada perjuangan kami.

Sebarang dakwaan terhadap kami amat dialu-alukan kerana diakhir kepada dakwaan tersebut, pihak kami akan mematahkannya didalam makhamah.

Mesej ini adalah sebagai nasihat kepada kerajaan persekutuan tanah melayu yang telah menyamar menjadi kerajaan persekutuan malaysia. Jangan cakap besar dan jangan berlagak seperti Sabah dan Sarawak ini milik anda. Milik anda adalah di malaya dan bukan di Borneo!

Perjuangan ini disertai dengan nyawa kami. Sebarang ancaman kepada perjuangan ini bermakna ia juga ancaman kepada nyawa kami dan sudah tentulah pihak kami akan berusaha untuk melindungi perjuangan ini daripada ia terhenti oleh pihak yang berniat jahat.

Didalam Kedaulatan Kami Bernafas, Didalam Perpaduan Kami Percaya

In Sovereignity We Breathe, In Unity We Believe

Pergo Et Perago - Dum Spiro Spero

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Tindakan keras bukan cara terbaik kendali tuntutan pemisahan, kata penganalisis

Ketika polis menggambil tindakan tegas terhadap kumpulan menuntut Sabah dan Sarawak berpisah daripada Malaysia, ahli akademik dan aktivis adalah lebih baik menggunakan kaedah debat dan dialog adalah kaedah menggendalikan isu itu.

Walaupun kumpulan itu mewakili pandangan minoriti di Malaysia Timur, kebimbangan mereka yang menganjurkan kempen Sabah dan Sarawak meninggalkan kerajaan persekutuan berdasarkan masalah sebenar penduduk Borneo.

Isu pendatang asing di Sabah, pembangunan tertangguh di kawasan pedalaman dan royalti minyak menyebabkan mereka mengambil jalan radikal berkempen bagi pemisahan.

Seperti kata ahli politik Sabah, Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan, dengan hanya mendakwa orang ramai dengan Akta Hasutan tidak akan menyelesaikan masalah.

"Rakyat hanya akan cari kaedah lain untuk bersuara."

Dilaporkan 9 orang ditahan di Tuaran, Sabah, kerana mengedar risalah mengenai pemisahan di pasar minggu bandar itu secara haram.

Mereka mewakili kumpulan minoriti, kata Dr Zaini Othman dari Universiti Malaysia, namun isu di sebalik kempen itu tidak patut diendahkan Putrajaya.

Ini termasuk hubungan antara kerajaan persekutuan dan Sabah dan Sarawak serta isu yang timbul sejak 51 tahun pembentukan Malaysia.

Seperti dilaporkan The Malaysian Insider sebelum ini, gerakan pemisahan dan kumpulan-kumpulannya didorong perasaan mendalam bahawa Sabah dan Sarawak tidak mendapat manfaat daripada pembentukan persekutuan Malaysia.

Ini termasuk dakwaan pihak Semenanjung tidak menunaikan janji dalam persetujuan 20-perkara dan 18-perkara yang pernah dibuat dengan Sabah dan Sarawak.

Lebih spesifik, Sabah dan Sarawak kehilangan kuasa ke atas sistem kewangan serta pendidikan mereka, dan tidak diberikan keutamaan dalam jawatan sektor awam di negeri masing-masing.

Salah satu daripada inisiatif paling penting gerakan ialah sebuah petisyen digelar "Call for Sabah and Sarawak rights" di laman sesawang GoPetition.

Kempen tersebut bertujuan mendapatkan 300,000 tandatangan bagi menyokong hak Sabah dan Sarawak di bawah perjanjian 18/20-perkara.

"Mereka adalah minoriti, tetapi di dalam mana-mana demokrasi, kita tidak boleh mengendahkan pandangan minoriti. Namun pihak minoriti pula patut konstruktif dalam kaedah mereka juga," kata Zaini yang juga seorang penganalisis politik.

Zaini, bagaimanapun, tidak setuju dengan kaedah digunakan kumpulan Tuaran: senyap-senyap merayap mengembangkan kempen mereka, bukan cara "matang" memastikan suara mereka didengari, katanya.

"Mereka patut melalui badan perundangan negeri dan dapatkan kerajaan negeri menimbulkan isunya. Itulah cara yang betul."

Jeffrey, yang merupakan ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (Adun) Bingkor, Sabah, tidak setuju dengan penilaian tersebut.

Beliau berkata mereka yang tidak percaya dengan kerajaan persekutuan menggunakan taktik sebegitu kerana tidak diendahkan Putrajaya.

“Kerajaan menggunakan undang-undang untuk menekan dan mendiamkan mereka yang mahukan kerajaan berbuat sesuatu terhadap ketidakpuas hatian mereka."

Pembelotan kerajaan Persekutuan

Jeffrey berkata penahanan 9 orang itu merupakan contoh Putrajaya memungkiri janjinya mendengar masalah yang dihadapi Malaysia Timur.

Katanya, pada 1973, jawatankuasa Kabinet untuk menilai Perjanjian Malaysia ditubuhkan di bawah timbalan perdana menteri pada ketika itu, Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman.

Selepas Ismail meninggal dunia, jawatankuasa itu dilupakan, kata Kitingan.

Tahun lepas, Jeffrey berkata pentadbiran Najib berminat berjumpa dengan kumpulan dari Borneo untuk mendengar masalah mereka.

"Kami menunggu pertemuan itu, tetapi ia hanya cakap sahaja," kata Kitingan. – 3 Februari, 2015.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/bahasa/article/tindakan-keras-bukan-cara-terbaik-kendali-tuntutan-pemisahan-kata-penganali

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Crackdown not the best way to deal with calls for secession

Debate and dialogue would have been the better response in dealing with calls for Borneo to secede from Malaysia, said academics and activists, as police start to crack down on groups pushing for a breakaway.

Though these groups represent a minority view point in Sabah and Sarawak, the concerns leading to their campaign for the two states to leave the federation are real problems faced by the people of Borneo.

And it is because there is a feeling that these concerns – illegal immigration in Sabah, underdevelopment of interior areas, being short-changed on oil royalties – are not heard that some groups have taken the radical route to campaign for secession.

As Sabah-based politician Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan said, charging people with sedition instead of listening to them would not solve the problem.

“People will just find other means to express themselves.”

Minority group 

It was reported that nine people were detained in Tuaran, Sabah, for allegedly distributing pamphlets regarding secession at the town’s weekly market.

They represented a minority, said Dr Zaini Othman of Universiti Malaysia, but the issues behind the campaign should not be ignored by the peninsula-based federal government.

These included relations between the federal government and the governments of Sabah and Sarawak and the issues that have cropped up between them in the 51 years since Malaysia was formed.

As previously reported by The Malaysian Insider, the secession movement and its different groups are fuelled by deep-seated feelings that Sabah and Sarawak have not benefitted from the Malaysian federation.

This includes claims that the peninsula has not kept its promises in the 20-point and 18-point Malaysia agreements made with Sabah and Sarawak respectively.

The specific issues range from the fact Sabah and Sarawak have lost control of their own finances and their education system, and that the indigenous locals have not been given priority in their civil service.

One of the most prominent initiatives of this movement is an online petition titled “Call for Sabah and Sarawak rights” on the website GoPetition.

The campaign is targeting 300,000 signatures for the petition whose aim is to reclaim the rights of Sabah and Sarawak under the 18- and 20-point agreements.

“They are a minority, but in any democracy, we should not dismiss the views of the minority. But the minority should be constructive in their methods as well,” said Zaini, a political scientist.

Zaini, however, disagreed with the methods the Tuaran group used. Surreptitiously spreading their message was not a “mature way” of making their voices heard, he said.

“They should go through the state legislature and get the state government to bring it up. That is the proper way.”

Kitingan, who is Bingkor assemblyman, however, disagreed with this assessment.

He said that those disenchanted with the federal government were resorting to such tactics because the Putrajaya had ignored them.

“The government is using the law to suppress and silence people who want the government to do something about their dissatisfactions.”

Betrayal of intentions

Kitingan claimed that the arrest of the nine was another example of Putrajaya going back on its word to listen to the grouses of Sabah and Sarawak folk.

In 1973, he said a cabinet committee to review the Malaysia agreement was formed under then deputy prime minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman.

After Ismail died, the committee was forgotten, Kitingan said.

Last year, Kitingan said the Najib administration was interested in meeting groups from Borneo to listen to their complaints.

“We waited for the meeting but it was only talk.”

The arrest of the nine, he said was a “betrayal” of Putrajaya’s intentions to listen to the grouses of Sabah and Sarawak folk and a “denial of justice”.

“You are not addressing the problem. You are threatening to use the law against people who are telling the government to do something about the problem,” said Kitingan.

Instead of going through with the meeting, last November, Putrajaya announced it would expand the Sedition Act so that it also deals specifically against those calling for secession.

Diversionary tactic?

Another problem with invoking the Sedition Act to deal with a non-violent group is that it runs counter to the principle of the exchange of ideas in a healthy democracy.

“By invoking sedition, you are declaring to the world that Malaysia is an authoritarian state,” said Associate Professor Dr Andrew Aeria of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.

“The proper response would be to engage with them, to dialogue or to debate, using your brains,” Aeria, a political economist.

Instead, the ruling coalition was using force and brawn to deal with dissent, which was legitimate in a democratic society, he said.

Putting dissenting voices in jail also contradicts the government’s own aim of creating innovative, thinking citizens through its public universities.

“Through universal education, people have developed their intellect, dreams and hopes. But by arresting people solely for articulating democratic ideas about secession, the government is telling you that you should not think.

“Such actions essentially say that this government does not have respect for its own education system,” said Aeria.

Aeria and Kitingan speculate that the arrests could have a darker motive.

“Why not arrest all those people who gave illegal identity cards (in Sabah) or those who incite racial and religious tensions?” asked Kitingan.

“Instead of addressing real problems such as the crisis of confidence in the judiciary, the police and economic issues, the government cracks down on harmless people,” said Aeria.

“Is the government deliberately attempting to distract public attention from the real issues the country faces presently?” – February 3, 2015.

Source: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/crackdown-not-the-best-way-to-deal-with-calls-for-secession

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Doris's Official Statement Regarding the Incident in Tuaran

I, Doris Jones have contacted Tuaran Police Station on February 2nd, 2015. 1st attempt my call was transfered to 2 sections by the operator in charge but the call was end up hang up on me.

2nd attempt call managed to speak to the operator on switch board and call transfered to Corporal Asrie.

Corporal Asrie is not in a postiion to talk about the incident on 1/2/15 re: 9 volunteers of Sabah Sarawak Union (UK) - SSKM Facebook Group Arrests. I did questioned of how the arrests occured and in any specific act they ( the 9 Volunteers ) remanded? Answers given was he (Corporal Asrie) not in a position to say anything about this matter. 

I then, ask if there are any officer who can explain to me re. this incident ? I was told that Ch. Supt. Fuad Bin Abdul Malik who is the OCPD in charge is the only person can talk about this incident but very unfortunately, OCPD in charge is not available in the office at the time.

Thereafter, I politely ask if I can have Ch. Supt. Fuad Bin Abdul Malik ext. number but again, the answer was very disappointed. No one able to give Ch. Supt. Fuad ext. no.

I, as a Founder of Sabah Sarawak Union (UK) and as moderator for Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia Facebook Group have my full rights to know of every of our volunteers safety and welfare in any event occured. Sabah Sarawak Union (UK) Co-Founder, too no less feel this incident is appalling. 

I cannot see the point to explain to any Malaysian Police Officer or right to the very top rank Officers re HUMAN RIGHTS and FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION because simply shame on Malaysia Rules educate them with no knowledge of freedom of Speech.

I declare that all our volunteers are free from arm weapons and why FRU are ready for them still in question. Why the 3 ladies hand being tied also remain in question.

As we SABAH SARAWAK UNION (UK) is established in United Kingdom, I cordially invite Malaysian Government or Ministry of Defence to face me in Court - International Criminal Court should we all are dangerous criminal.

Thank you.

Doris Jones.

Founder 

(Sabah Sarawak Union -UK)

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The Silence of Mainstream Media in West Malaysia

All newspapers in Borneo have released the news on the SSKM members being detained in Tuaran Police Station yesterday.

But in West Malaysia everything's quite...

This is why people in West Malaysia will never know the feelings and the issues that effect the people of Borneo other then if they open online news...

But for now the mainstream media at West Malaysia either print, TV or radio are going to stay deaf.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1553548581564824&set=a.1381488375437513.1073741829.100007290909160&type=1&fref=nf

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"Nations Without States totally condemns Malaysia (malaya) towards the remanded"

Nations without States totally condemns the remanded yesterday of, and now on bail, nine Sabah activists under the umbrella of Sabah Sarawak Union (UK). Their only crime it seems is for attempting to raise signatures for a petition calling upon Malaysia (read malaya )  to put back their rights and  wealth they are extracting from the country (Sabah). Malayan authorities (where the central power resides) clearly do not like their policies to be criticised, especially within the nations they control. Whilst they might like to act like a dictatorship they are a part of the Commonwealth which is supposed to promote freedom of expression. Either, Malaysia must leave that body or the Commonwealth must act against them.

Serve the Nations for Self Determination :

Graham Williamon (Director)

Doris Jones ( Comittee & Diaspora for North Borneo)

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Right to self-determination

What is the right to self-determination?

While there is no universally accepted agreement as to the content of the right to self-determination, it is agreed that at a minimum, it entails the entitlement of peoples to have control over their destiny and to be treated respectfully. This includes peoples being free to pursue their economic, social and cultural development.

Where does the right to self-determination come from?

Australia is a party to seven core international human rights treaties. The right to self-determination is contained in article 1 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

This right is also contained in Article 3 of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples . The Declaration does not create legally binding obligations, but informs the way governments engage with and protect the rights of Indigenous people.

When do I need to consider the right to self-determination?

Self-determination is a right that pertains to groups of people, not individuals. In Australia, it is particularly relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

You will need to consider the right whenever you are working on legislation, a policy or a program that will have a particular impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or other peoples with a common racial, ethnic or cultural identity which has been built up over a long period of time. The people impacted should be closely involved in the development and implementation of policies and programs that impact on them and with consultation and engagement strategies that facilitate this. The establishment of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples is a leading example of this.

What is the scope of the right to self-determination?

It is generally understood that the right to self-determination accrues to 'peoples'. The UN Human Rights Committee has declined to consider individual complaints about the right under the First Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has stated that the right to self-determination involves 'the rights of all peoples to pursue freely their economic, social and cultural development without outside interference' and that 'Governments are to represent the whole population without distinction as to race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin'.

The Australian Government believes that individuals and groups, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, should be consulted about decisions likely to impact on them. This includes ensuring that they have the opportunity to participate in the making of such decisions through the processes of democratic government, and are able to exercise meaningful control over their affairs.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples also have the right to preserve their group identity and culture. The importance of consultation is manifested in the establishment of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples.

Self-determination is widely understood to be exercised in a manner that preserves the territorial integrity, political unity and sovereignty of a country.

Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The international community has recognised the significance of the right to self-determination to Indigenous peoples in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which was supported by the Australian Government in April 2009. In Australia's response to the Universal Periodic Review recommendations in June 2011, the Australian Government stated that it supports promotion of and respect for the principles in the Declaration.

The Declaration is not binding in international law, in the way that a treaty binds countries that are party to it. However, the Declaration reflects how a number of existing human rights standards under international law apply to the particular situation of Indigenous peoples.

Can the right to self-determination be limited?

Derogation

Under article 4 of the ICCPR, countries may take measures derogating from certain of their obligations under the Covenant, 'in time of public emergency which threatens the life of the nation and the existence of which is officially proclaimed'. Such measures may only be taken 'to the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation, provided that such measures are not inconsistent with their other obligations under international law and do not involve discrimination solely on the ground of race, colour, sex, language, religion or social origin.' While derogation to article 1 is not explicitly precluded, such derogation may be inconsistent with Australia's 'other obligations under international law', given that article 1 of the Charter of the United Nations refers to 'the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples' when enumerating the purposes of the UN.

Limitation

For the same reason, it would be difficult to justify any restriction on the right to self-determination in the ICESCR.

Which domestic laws relate to the right to self-determination?

Section 3 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 states that the objects of the Act include to ensure the maximum participation of Aboriginal persons and Torres Strait Islanders in the formulation and implementation of government policies that affect them and to promote the development of self-management and self-sufficiency among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

What other rights and freedoms relate to the right to self-determination?

The right to self-determination may also be relevant to:

• right to take part in the conduct of public affairs in article 25 of the ICCPR
• rights of ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities to enjoy their own culture, religion and language in article 27 of the ICCPR
• right to be free from all forms of racial discrimination in articles 2 and 5 of CERD.

Articles from relevant Conventions

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Article 1

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Article 1

• All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
• All peoples may, for their own ends, freely dispose of their natural wealth and resources without prejudice to any obligations arising out of international economic co-operation, based upon the principle of mutual benefit, and international law. In no case may a people be deprived of its own means of subsistence.
• The States Parties to the present Covenant, including those having responsibility for the administration of Non-Self-Governing and Trust Territories, shall promote the realization of the right of self-determination, and shall respect that right, in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

Where can I read more about the right to self-determination?

• United Nations, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Human Rights Bodies (human rights treaty bodies that monitor implementation of the core international human rights treaties)
• UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (in particular articles 3, 4 and 46).
• UN General Assembly Resolution 2625 of 24.10.1970 (Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation Among States In Accordance With the Charter of the United Nations)
• UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination General Recommendation No 21
• UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination General Recommendation No 23
• UN Human Rights Committee General Comment No 23 (on the rights of minorities under the ICCPR)
• UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Report to the UN Human Rights Council, A/HRC/15/37/Add.4, 1 June 2010
• Australian Human Rights Commission Community Guide to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

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Cops question nine on secession issue

Sabah police say the individuals were distributing pamphlets calling for the secession of Sabah and Sarawak from Malaysia.

KOTA KINABALU: Police have recorded the statements of nine individuals, three of them women, regarding the distribution of pamphlets calling for the secession of Sabah and Sarawak from the country in Tuaran last night.

Sabah Police Commissioner Jalauddin Abdul Rahman said besides the statements of the nine suspects aged between 24 and 52, police also took statements from 14 witnesses related to the incident.

“The nine arrests were made under Section 4(1) of the Sedition Act. All nine suspects were released on bail yesterday (February 1), at 5pm, after the statements were recorded,” he told Bernama.

According to Jalaluddin, the investigations will also be done under the Printing Presses and Publications Act, and would be completed as soon as possible to be handed over to the Public Prosecutor for further action.

Jalaluddin said the nine suspects were arrested between 9.50am and 10.42am yesterday, after they were believed to be distributing pamphlets in various locations at the Tuaran weekly market.

He said following the arrests, some 113 reading materials of various topics were seized from the suspects to assist investigations.

According to Jalaluddin, among the titles of the reading materials were ‘Questions for Us All as Indigenous People of Sabah and Sarawak’, ‘Peoples Petition to United Nations to Re-open the Issue of Self-Determination for Sabah and Sarawak’, ‘The People of Sabah (North Borneo) & Sarawak Borneo’, ‘Sabah Sarawak March for Independence’, and ‘Call for Sabah and Sarawak’s Rights’.

Other reading materials seized were ‘Agreement Concluded Between The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland’, ‘The Federation of Malaya’, ‘North Borneo, Sarawak and Singapore’, he said.

Source: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/02/02/cops-question-nine-on-secession-issue/

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