By Daniel John Jambun, Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)
KOTA KINABALU: Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) condemns in the strongest possible terms the alarming lack of transparency surrounding the reported border realignment on Pulau Sebatik.
Let us be absolutely clear:
This is not a misunderstanding.This is not a communication issue.This is a failure of leadership.
1. WHEN GOVERNMENT SPEAKS IN HALF-TRUTHS — PEOPLE ASSUME THE WORST
Hajiji Noor has denied that Sabah lost land.
Yet in the same breath, he claims Malaysia gained more land —but refuses to reveal a single detail.
This is not reassurance.
This is evasion.
You do not protect sovereignty by hiding information from your own people.
You do not defend territory by asking Sabahans to “just trust” vague statements.
2. SABAH IS NOT A BARGAINING CHIP
Sabah’s land is not a diplomatic token to be quietly exchanged in negotiations.
Sabah’s borders are not negotiable behind closed doors.
Sabah is not a colony.
Any suggestion — real or perceived — that land can be adjusted without full public disclosure is a direct insult to the people of Sabah.
3. THE CONSTITUTION IS BEING IGNORED — OR WORSE, BYPASSED
As highlighted by Shafie Apdal, Article 2(b) of the Federal Constitution is crystal clear:
«No alteration of State boundaries can take place without the consent of the State Legislative Assembly and the Conference of Rulers.»
So the question is simple:
Has this constitutional process been triggered — or not?
If not, why are there reports of land changes?
If yes, why has the Sabah Legislative Assembly not been informed?
4. FOREIGN GOVERNMENT SPEAKS — OUR OWN GOVERNMENT STAYS SILENT
Indonesian officials are making specific, detailed claims.
Meanwhile, Sabah’s own leadership offers:
– denials without proof- claims without evidence- silence without explanation
This is unacceptable.
Why is Sabah hearing more about its own borders from foreign sources than from its own government?
5. THIS IS NOT DIPLOMACY — THIS IS A CRISIS OF TRUST
Let us call this what it is:
A breakdown of transparency.A failure of accountability.A dangerous erosion of public trust.
In a state already scarred by decades of unresolved issues — from illegal immigration to constitutional rights under MA63 — this latest episode only reinforces one perception:
Sabah is being managed, not respected.
6. BOPIMAFO DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ACTION
BoPiMaFo demands:
– FULL DISCLOSURE of all negotiations affecting Pulau Sebatik- PUBLIC RELEASE of maps, data, and agreements involved- IMMEDIATE CLARIFICATION whether any land has been ceded, exchanged, or reclassified- CONFIRMATION that Article 2(b) procedures have been strictly followed- AN URGENT DEBATE in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly
A STRONG REMINDER
Sabahans have been patient.
Sabahans have been reasonable.
But Sabahans are not blind.
If the government continues to hide behind silence and ambiguity, it will only fuel one conclusion:
That something is being concealed.
And when trust collapses, no amount of late explanation will repair it.
Sabah’s land is not negotiable.Sabah’s rights are not optional.And Sabah’s people will not be kept in the dark.
