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.
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