Borneo's activists tell UiTM not to force Islam on non-muslim students

https://focusmalaysia.my/author-uitm-is-blatantly-coercing-non-muslim-sabah-sarawak-bumiputera-students-to-convert/

Joint Press Statement 

14th January 2025

"Stop Forcing Our Faith: Sabah and Sarawak Demand Respect for Religious Freedom"

We are outraged and deeply appalled by the allegations against Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) regarding the coercion of non-Muslim Bumiputera students from Sabah and Sarawak to attend Islamic dawah-related events, allegedly aimed at forcing religious conversions.

What makes this situation even more disturbing is that UiTM’s written instructions reportedly require all students, regardless of their religion, to attend these religious sessions.

This is not just an attack on the religious freedom of our people—it is an affront to the dignity, identity, and autonomy of Sabah and Sarawak.

Let us be clear: Sabah and Sarawak were induced to relinquish their independence and join Malaysia with numerous guarantees of rights, including the fundamental secular terms of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 

These terms were meant to safeguard our religious and cultural freedoms. Yet, what we are witnessing now is a blatant betrayal of that promise. .

These allegations—if true—prove that the federal government and institutions like UiTM have no regard for the beliefs or dignity of the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak.

Since the 1970s, Sabah has been subjected to the disturbing and ongoing issue of forced conversions, a practice that has undermined the religious freedom of our people. 

The very idea of forcing non-Muslim students to participate in religious programs or adhere to a conversion agenda is abhorrent. UiTM was created to support Bumiputera students, not to impose religious conformity. 

Non-Muslim students should not be subjected to dawah programs or any form of forced religious indoctrination. The notion of a “conversion quota” is repugnant, unethical, and a direct insult to the diverse communities of East Malaysia. It is deeply offensive to the followers of other religions in Sabah and Sarawak, who are now being treated as second-class citizens in their own homeland.

How dare the federal government allow this kind of disrespect to persist? 

Have they forgotten that Sabah and Sarawak are equal partners in Malaysia, not colonies to be manipulated? 

Do the leaders in Putrajaya not understand that whatever trust and goodwill our people may have in the protection of their rights are being shattered by such actions?

We demand an immediate and public explanation from the Minister of Education. You must answer:

1. Why are non-Muslim students at UiTM being forced to attend religious programs?

2. Is there an official or unofficial policy to push religious conversions on our students?

3. What are you doing to protect the constitutional rights of non-Muslim Bumiputera students?

Enough is enough. The people of Sabah and Sarawak will not stand by while our cultural and religious identity is systematically undermined. 

If the federal government cannot honour the principles of MA63 and the basic respect for our diversity, then you are forcing us to reconsider our trust and place in this federation.

This is not just about religion—it is about respect, fairness, and the future of Malaysia as a multicultural nation. 

We demand justice, accountability, and an end to this blatant disregard for the feelings and rights of other religious communities in Sabah and Sarawak.

Daniel John Jambun President Borneo's Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)

Robert Pei President Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand (SSRANZ)

Peter John Jaban Founder Saya Anak Sarawak (SAS)

Moses Anap President Republic of Sabah North Borneo (RSNB)

Alim GA Mideh

Bulang Birieh Dayak Civil Movement Sarawak

Jovilis Majami President Persatuan Pembangunan Sosial Komuniti Sabah (BANGUN)

Cleftus Stephen Mojingol President Pertubuhan Kebajikan Rumpun Dayak Sabah (PKRDS)

Ricky Ganang Penasihat Forum Adat Dataran Tanah Tinggi Borneo (FORMADAT)

Versi Bahasa Malaysia

Kenyataan Media Bersama

14 Januari 2025

"Hentikan Pemaksaan Agama: Sabah dan Sarawak Menuntut Hormat terhadap Kebebasan Beragama"

Kami amat marah dan terkejut dengan dakwaan terhadap Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) yang didakwa memaksa pelajar Bumiputera bukan Islam dari Sabah dan Sarawak menghadiri program berkaitan dakwah Islam, yang dikatakan bertujuan untuk memaksa penukaran agama.

Ini bukan sahaja serangan terhadap kebebasan beragama rakyat kami—ini juga merupakan penghinaan terhadap maruah, identiti, dan autonomi Sabah dan Sarawak.

Kami ingin tegaskan dengan jelas: Sabah dan Sarawak bersetuju untuk menyertai Malaysia melalui Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 (MA63) dengan jaminan hak yang jelas, termasuk syarat asas sekular.

Syarat ini bertujuan untuk melindungi kebebasan beragama dan budaya kami. Namun, apa yang sedang berlaku kini adalah satu pengkhianatan terang-terangan terhadap janji tersebut.

Dakwaan ini—jika benar—membuktikan bahawa kerajaan persekutuan dan institusi seperti UiTM tidak menghormati kepercayaan atau maruah masyarakat peribumi Sabah dan Sarawak.

Sejak tahun 1970-an, Sabah telah menghadapi isu penukaran agama secara paksa yang mengganggu kebebasan beragama rakyat kami.

Idea untuk memaksa pelajar bukan Islam menghadiri program agama atau mengikuti agenda penukaran agama adalah menjijikkan. UiTM ditubuhkan untuk menyokong pelajar Bumiputera, bukan untuk memaksakan keseragaman agama.

Pelajar bukan Islam tidak seharusnya dipaksa menghadiri program dakwah atau mana-mana bentuk doktrinasi agama secara paksa. Konsep “kuota penukaran agama” adalah tidak bermoral, tidak beretika, dan penghinaan langsung terhadap komuniti pelbagai agama di Malaysia Timur. Ia juga sangat menyakitkan hati penganut agama lain di Sabah dan Sarawak, yang kini dilayan seperti rakyat kelas kedua di tanah air sendiri.

Bagaimana kerajaan persekutuan boleh membenarkan ketidakadilan seperti ini berlaku?

Adakah mereka lupa bahawa Sabah dan Sarawak adalah rakan setara dalam Malaysia, bukan koloni untuk dimanipulasi?

Adakah pemimpin di Putrajaya tidak memahami bahawa kepercayaan dan kesetiaan rakyat kami terhadap perlindungan hak mereka sedang dimusnahkan oleh tindakan seperti ini?

Kami menuntut penjelasan segera dan terbuka daripada Menteri Pendidikan. Anda mesti menjawab:

1. Mengapa pelajar bukan Islam di UiTM dipaksa menghadiri program keagamaan?

2. Adakah terdapat dasar rasmi atau tidak rasmi untuk mendorong penukaran agama terhadap pelajar kami?

3. Apakah langkah yang diambil untuk melindungi hak perlembagaan pelajar Bumiputera bukan Islam?

Cukup sudah. Rakyat Sabah dan Sarawak tidak akan berdiam diri sementara identiti budaya dan agama kami terus dicerobohi.

Jika kerajaan persekutuan tidak dapat menghormati prinsip MA63 dan kepelbagaian kami, maka anda memaksa kami untuk mempertimbangkan semula kepercayaan dan kedudukan kami dalam persekutuan ini.

Ini bukan hanya tentang agama—ini adalah tentang hormat, keadilan, dan masa depan Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara berbilang budaya.

Kami menuntut keadilan, akauntabiliti, dan penghentian segera terhadap ketidakadilan yang mencabul perasaan dan hak komuniti agama lain di Sabah dan Sarawak.

Daniel John Jambun

Presiden Borneo's Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)

Robert Pei

Presiden Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand (SSRANZ)

Peter John Jaban

Pengasas Saya Anak Sarawak (SAS)

Moses Anap

Presiden Republic of Sabah North Borneo (RSNB)

Alim GA Mideh

Bulang Birieh Dayak Civil Movement Sarawak

Jovilis Majami

Presiden Persatuan Pembangunan Sosial Komuniti Sabah (BANGUN)

Cleftus Stephen Mojingol

Presiden Pertubuhan Kebajikan Rumpun Dayak Sabah (PKRDS)

Ricky Ganang

Penasihat Forum Adat Dataran Tanah Tinggi Borneo (FORMADAT)