UBF Advocates “In Solidarity We Shall Strive” to Restore Sabah Rights

Kota Kinabalu:    “Sabahans need to wake up from their comfort zone and realize that the time has come for all Malaysians in Sabah and Sabahans at heart to stand united to reclaim their rights as equal partners in Malaysia and not just as the 12th State of Malaya renamed as Malaysia” said Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Sabah STAR Chief and BIngkor Assemblyman in revealing the theme “IN SOLIDARITY WE SHALL TRUIMPH” or “Perpaduan Kunci Kejayaan” at the 5th anniversary celebration of the of United Borneo Front (UBF) last month.


Sabahans and Sarawakians also need to realize that they are the kingmakers as they have been since 2008.  Their 57 MPs can decide who the federal government in Putrajaya will be, as BN’s 87 MPs from Malaya or Pakatan’s 79’s MPs cannot meet the 112 majority to form the federal government on their own.

Instead, the kingmaker’s role has resulted in direct benefit to Sabah and Sarawak MPs with 11 of them appointed as full federal Ministers.  It has to be acknowledged that their appointments were due to them being from Sabah and Sarawak and not due to them being Umno or BN alone.  They need to be appeased lest they withdraw their support and let Pakatan into Putrajaya through the back-door.  

Recently, PKR President, Datuk Seri Wan Azizah, has even openly called the 47 BN MPs from Sabah and Sarawak to leave BN and form their own Borneo Block and negotiate for the best terms for Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia.   This should be the way forward for Sabah and Sarawak’s rights to be restored.

UBF’s BTP, Borneo Tea Party, shares the same birthdate of the Boston Tea Party, launched on 16 December 1773, which eventually resulted in the independence of the United States of America on 4th July 1776.   The success of UBF and the BTPs have seen many NGOs such as SFM, SAPA, SSPR, HPM63, Mosik, NBFM, SSM, S4S, SSU-UK, being born and dedicated to fighting for the restoration of Sabah and Sarawak’s rights in Malaysia.

The success of the Borneo Agenda advanced by UBF during the BTPs have seen many successful milestones being achieved.   In the past, it was taboo to mention the 20/18-Points but it is now in the mainstream discussions and recognized by Umno and BN leaders.

On equal partnership and autonomy, the Sarawak government has now officially recognized and celebrated Sarawak’s independence on 22 July and officially acknowledging that Sarawak formed Malaysia with Malaya and Sabah and calling for its full autonomy.

This has been accepted by the Prime Minister who has agreed and instructed the Chief Secretary to commence devolution of autonomy powers to Sarawak.   Sadly, in Sabah, which is controlled by Umno with other components rather subservient, calls for its autonomy has been rather muted and limited to request for administrative management and not actual autonomy.

Other notable successes arising from the Borneo Agenda advocated by UBF include the setting up of the RCI and the special committees to look into the findings of the RCI and to make recommendations for their solution.  During the year, there was also the submission of the Memorandum on the return of the 40% net revenue derived from Sabah and other financial provisions assigned to Sabah to PM Najib.  Najib has in turn agreed to set up a special committee to look into the matter and to honour the same since it is provided in the Federal Constitution.

Dr. Jeffrey recorded a special thanks and appreciation to the UBF’s dedicated BTP teams who have worked tireless the last 5 years in Sabah, Sarawak, and several cities in Malaya, to enlighten the people on the basis of the formation of Malaysia and the special rights of Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia.   Their efforts and sacrifices, together with the unwavering support of thousands of hosts of the BTP events and UBF supporters and the countless attendees, Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak are beginning to be inspired to reclaim the special rights and position of Sabah and Sarawak.

Despite its successes, UBF is not resting on its laurels and are pushing for further success until the equal status of Sabah, who have been clearly cheated in the formation of Malaysia and ended up as a neo-colony of Malaya, and Sabah rights and autonomy are fully restored.   Until then, UBF and its fighters will not rest.    Earlier in the year, the UBF Academy with a Resource Centre was launched to initiate the new approach together with an updated BTP module complete with a Vision and Mission for Sabah and an updated Borneo Agenda with its 7 core objectives.

Sabahans and Sarawakians are beginning to realize the importance of unity and the leverage of their kingmaker position.   In Sabah, the local political parties are galvanized into the formation of a common platform, the United Sabah Alliance (U.S.A.) or Gabungan Sabah to take on and replace the BN government.

UBF is advocating the people to adopt a united stand and combined strength through the theme “IN SOLIDARITY WE SHALL TRUIMPH” to ensure Sabah rights and autonomy can be achieved.   Sabahans and Sarawakians have realized that others cannot be relied upon to fight for their rights and they have to do it themselves.  They need to speak with 1-voice, with 1-struggle for full autonomy and for a stronger Sabah and Sarawak.   The public are advised that in PRU-14 when “U.S.A. menang, Sabah Sarawak senang” with restoration of their rights and autonomy.

Amongst those present at the anniversary celebrations include Datuk Mohd Noor Mansor, chairman of Gabungan U.S.A., Datuk Kalakau Untol from Parti Cinta Sabah, Mr. Amde Sidek and his SAPP entourage, activists led by Tony Minggir, Jeremiah Yee, and representatives from various NGOs.