By Daniel John Jambun, Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo)
KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans working and studying in Peninsular Malaysia are called upon to attend the peaceful demonstration organised by “Tangkap Azam Baki Secretariat” at Dataran Merdeka on the 25 April, 2026.
This is no longer about a single issue.
This is about systemic injustice imposed on Sabah — tolerated for too long.
1. SMM CORRUPTION SCANDAL: PUTRAJAYA’S SILENCE IS INDEFENSIBLE
The SMM corruption scandal in Sabah has now become the clearest test of political will.
And Putrajaya has failed.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations:
There is no decisive enforcement action
There is no urgency from federal authorities
There is no accountability proportionate to the scale of the scandal
This is not delay.
This is deliberate inaction.
Would the same silence exist if this scandal occurred in Kuala Lumpur?
Sabahans already know the answer.
2. “TANGKAP AZAM BAKI” — A SYMBOL OF A BROKEN SYSTEM
The call to act against Azam Baki is not personal.
It reflects a national crisis:
Enforcement without credibility
Institutions without public trust
Power without accountability
When those entrusted to fight corruption are themselves questioned, the entire system collapses in legitimacy.
3. 40% REVENUE: EVEN WHEN SABAH WINS, PUTRAJAYA BLOCKS
Sabah’s constitutional right to 40% of net federal revenue:
Was affirmed by the High Court
Yet blocked through a stay of execution obtained by the Federal Government
Let this be stated clearly:
This is not governance.
This is legal obstruction of a constitutional obligation.
Under Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution, this entitlement is not discretionary.
Yet Putrajaya has chosen delay over duty.
What is the value of the Constitution if the Federal Government itself refuses to honour it?
4. THIS IS NOT NEGLIGENCE — THIS IS A PATTERN
From Sabah’s perspective, the pattern is undeniable:
Corruption in Sabah → No action
Institutional credibility questioned → No accountability
Constitutional rights affirmed → Delayed and resisted
This is not coincidence.
This is systemic marginalisation.
5. 25 APRIL: SABAHANS MUST BREAK THE SILENCE
The demonstration on 25 April is no longer optional.
It is a line in the sand.
Sabahans in Peninsular Malaysia must stand together to send a clear message to Putrajaya:
Sabah will not accept selective justice
Sabah will not tolerate institutional failure
Sabah will not remain silent when its constitutional rights are denied
To Putrajaya, we say this:
You cannot preach integrity while tolerating corruption.
You cannot speak of justice while practising delay.
You cannot invoke the Constitution while undermining it.
25 April is not just a protest.
It is a reckoning.
Stand up.
Show up.
Be counted.
Sabah will no longer be ignored.
