Republic of Sabah North Borneo - RSNB

Peaceful Demonstration at Dockland, Victoria Australia

The event drew around 50 participants, including community leaders, activists, and supporters of the independence movement. The demonstration was conducted peacefully, with participants carrying the flags of Sabah and Sarawak, chanting calls for justice, and rejecting what they described as the continued neo-colonial domination of Malaya, which the world came to recognise under its rebranded name “Malaysia” on 16 September 1963.

Speakers at the demonstration emphasised that Sabah and Sarawak were never given the opportunity to freely and lawfully express their will through a referendum, despite the requirements outlined in the 1963 Manila Accord and international law. They argued that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) failed to meet the standards of a valid international treaty, highlighting its lack of compliance with the United Nations Charter and the principle of self-determination.

In a historic climax, the gathering witnessed the proclamation of the Republic of Sabah North Borneo Government-in-Exile (RSNB-GiE). The declaration, made in front of those assembled, stated that the Government-in-Exile takes effect retroactively from 16 September 1963, the date when Sabah’s sovereignty was, according to the proclamation, wrongfully annexed and rebranded under Malaysia without genuine consent of its people.

The declaration was described by organisers as a restoration of truth and an assertion of Sabah’s unfinished decolonisation process. They emphasised that the RSNB-GiE will continue its mission through peaceful and diplomatic means until Sabah’s right to self-determination is fully realised and recognised by the international community.

Observers noted that the demonstration was not only peaceful but also symbolic, blending historical grievances with forward-looking aspirations. It marked the first time such a declaration had been made publicly in Australia, underscoring the determination of Sabahans in the diaspora to continue advocating for justice.

The day ended with participants reaffirming their solidarity, pledging to continue raising awareness, and calling upon the United Nations and the wider international community to acknowledge and act on the unfinished decolonisation of the Borneo territories.

PRESS STATEMENT

This proclamation recognises that Sabah was never granted a true act of self-determination. No referendum, no democratic mandate, and no free expression of the people’s will was ever conducted. Instead, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) was imposed under colonial manipulation and failed to meet the requirements of international law. The Manila Accord of 1963, which required the voices of the people of Sabah and Sarawak to be lawfully ascertained, was ignored.

For over six decades, Sabah has endured exploitation of its resources, marginalisation of its people, and continued neo-colonial domination disguised as federation. Today, the RSNB-GiE stands as the rightful and legitimate voice of Sabah, mandated to:

• Uphold and advance the inalienable right of the people of Sabah to independence and sovereignty.

• Represent Sabah internationally in diplomatic, legal, and political forums.

• Advocate peacefully and lawfully for global recognition of Sabah as a free and sovereign nation.

• Continue its mission until Sabah has achieved independence as a sovereign state, at which point authority will be transferred to a duly established government within Sabah.

The establishment of the RSNB-GiE marks a turning point in the history of Sabah. From 16 September 2025 onwards, this day shall no longer be called “Malaysia Day” but shall be remembered as the day when Sabahans reclaimed their rightful voice and declared that Sabah is not a colony of Malaya.

Let it be recorded in history that on this date, Sabah rose again to reclaim its dignity, its freedom, and its rightful place among the nations of the world.

“Neo-Colonisation Must End. Sabah shall be free.”

PRESS STATEMENT

The Republic of Sabah North Borneo (RSNB), under the leadership of its President Mosses PA Ampang, issues this clarification to set the record straight regarding the recent peaceful demonstration for Sabah’s independence from Malaysia. RSNB had originally planned to hold the rally and peaceful demonstration on 14 September 2025 at the Parliament of Victoria and the State Library of Victoria. However, after a thorough assessment of the situation, and in consideration of the large number of mass demonstrations also scheduled in Melbourne on that date, including the March for Australia, the Pro-Palestine March, and the Indigenous Sovereignty March, RSNB made the decision to change the date and venue in order to protect the safety and well-being of its participants and to preserve the peaceful character of the gathering. The peaceful demonstration was instead held on 13 September 2025, immediately following the Borneo Rising Summit, at the Library at the Dock, Docklands, Victoria.

The demonstration was held as a symbolic continuation of the Borneo Rising Summit, reinforcing the central message that the people of Sabah and Sarawak have the right to self-determination and to free themselves from decades of misrepresentation under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. By directly linking the demonstration to the Summit, RSNB ensured that the momentum and spirit of unity carried forward into a visible act of peaceful resistance and international awareness.

While the change of date and venue was made a week before the set date, RSNB emphasizes that the notice of intention to organise the peaceful demonstration had already been submitted to the Victoria Police and the Melbourne City Council six months earlier, in March 2025, ensuring transparency and compliance with local requirements. This reflects RSNB’s commitment to responsible planning, coordination with authorities, and safeguarding public order.

This press statement is made in response to the news coverage from 9News dated 13 September 2025, which reported that “Tomorrow, there will be a protest for Sabah’s independence from Malaysia and the weekly pro-Palestine rally.” For clarity, RSNB confirms that its peaceful demonstration was not scheduled for 14 September but was instead held on 13 September 2025 immediately after the Borneo Rising Summit, and that it was a separate and independent event unrelated to the pro-Palestine rally or any other protest movements in Melbourne.

This clarification is issued to avoid any misinformation or confusion in the future. RSNB stresses that the demonstration was not cancelled, but rescheduled and relocated, and remained focused solely on advocating for the right to self-determination and independence of the people of Sabah. Any reports suggesting otherwise or conflating this event with other movements are inaccurate. RSNB reaffirms its commitment to peaceful, lawful, and respectful conduct, and expresses gratitude to all authorities, participants, and supporters for their cooperation and understanding.

End.

The hybrid event, broadcast via Facebook pages of RSNB, SSRANZ, and Mosses Paul Anap, experienced some technical difficulties but concluded successfully, followed by a peaceful demonstration outside the venue.

The conference featured several prominent speakers:

Robert Pei, President of SSRANZ, presented a critical analysis of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), describing it as a legal nullity.

“The Malaysia Agreement 1963 — MA63 — was not a valid foundation for a new federation. It was unenforceable, void from the very start, and in breach of international decolonisation law. Time does not legitimise fraud. The unfinished decolonisation of Sabah and Sarawak is a live issue today, and the United Nations must act to correct this historic injustice.”

Mosses Paul Anap, President of RSNB, delivered a keynote speech calling for unity and determination:

“Independence is not a fantasy. Independence is not a crime. Independence is a right. The Malaysia Agreement of 1963 violated the very principles of international law and decolonisation. We are here not to despair, but to proclaim hope and aspiration — that together, Sabah and Sarawak will rise.”

Voon Lee Shan, President of Parti Bumi Kenyalang, shared the struggles faced by Sabah and Sarawak under Malaysian rule, highlighting decades of political interference, erosion of autonomy, and economic exploitation. He stressed that these injustices prove the federation was never one of equals, but rather an extension of colonial domination.

Andrew Ambrose, an advocate for indigenous rights, addressed the importance of self-determination:

“The right to self-determination is not just a political concept, it is the cornerstone of democratic rights for indigenous peoples. For Sabah, this right safeguards not only freedom and independence but also the well-being of our people, our culture, and our land.”

Emily Edward focused her speech on the International Criminal Court (ICC) case on crimes against humanity in Sabah, Borneo, presenting evidence of human rights violations, systemic oppression, and policies of demographic engineering that have impacted the indigenous population. She emphasised that international mechanisms must be pursued to hold perpetrators accountable.

The conference highlighted the shared history and continuing challenges of Sabah and Sarawak, underlining the urgent need for international recognition of their right to independence. The role of the diaspora was also emphasised as crucial in carrying the struggle beyond national borders.

The summit concluded with a peaceful demonstration, symbolising the unity and resolve of participants to pursue justice through legal, diplomatic, and non-violent means.