By Daniel John Jambun, Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)
KOTA KINABALU: Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) takes note of the remarks by Harris Salleh directed at Shafie Apdal on “how democracy works.”
We respond with one clear position:
Sabahans do not need lectures on democracy — they need results grounded in constitutional compliance.
1. DEMOCRACY IN SABAH IS NOT THEORY — IT IS LIVED FAILURE
For decades, Sabah has endured:
shifting political alliances
unelected power realignments
federal interference in state affairs
If democracy is to be defined by “process” alone, then Sabah has followed process.
But where are the outcomes?
Where is Sabah’s 40% revenue entitlement under Articles 112C and 112D?
Where is the full implementation of the RCI findings on illegal immigrants?
Where is the respect for MA63 guarantees?
A democracy that produces no justice is not functioning — it is failing.
2. DEMOCRACY CANNOT BE USED AS A SHIELD FOR INACTION
BoPiMaFo rejects any attempt to weaponise the concept of democracy to:
silence legitimate demands
delegitimise political pressure
preserve the status quo
Let us be clear:
Demanding constitutional rights is not a violation of democracy.
It is the very essence of it.
If Sabah leaders cannot assert Sabah’s rights firmly, then democracy becomes:
a procedural ritual — not a tool of justice.
3. SABAH’S HISTORY UNDERMINES ANY CLAIM OF “PURE DEMOCRACY”
Sabah’s political reality has never been textbook democracy.
Governments have changed through:
defections
realignments
post-election shifts
Yet all were eventually accepted within the system.
To now selectively invoke “how democracy works”
is not principle — it is political convenience.
4. THE REAL ISSUE: RESULTS VS RHETORIC
This debate is not about personalities.
It is about one fundamental question:
Which approach delivers justice for Sabah?
Because Sabah’s biggest issues remain unresolved:
constitutional entitlements ignored
demographic integrity questioned
economic rights diluted
These failures did not arise from “too much pressure.”
They arose from too little political will.
5. SABAHANS ARE NO LONGER INTERESTED IN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
Sabahans are watching.
And Sabahans are asking:
Who is defending Sabah’s rights?
Who is negotiating — and who is surrendering?
Who is acting — and who is explaining?
Democracy is not defined by speeches.
It is defined by outcomes.
BoPiMaFo states firmly:
Do not lecture Sabah on democracy while its constitutional rights remain unfulfilled.
Until:
the 40% entitlement is honoured
MA63 is fully implemented
RCI findings are enforced
any claim about “how democracy works”
will ring hollow.
Sabah does not need explanation.
Sabah demands execution.
