SEVEN East Malaysian social activists have expressed outraged over allegations levelled at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) for having coerced non-Muslim Bumiputera undergraduates from Sabah and Sarawak to attend Islamic dakwah-related events aimed at forcing religious conversions.
They described this not just an attack on the religious freedom of Sabahans and Sarawakians but “an affront to the dignity, identity and autonomy of both states”.
“Let us be clear: Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaysia under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) with the assurance that our religious and cultural rights would be respected,” the activists hit out in a media statement.
“What we’re seeing now is a blatant betrayal of that promise. These allegations – if true – prove that the federal government and institutions like UiTM have no regard for the feelings or beliefs of the indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak.”
They are
- Global Human Rights Federation Malaysia (GHRF) deputy president Peter John Jaban;
- Borneo’s Plight in Malaysia Foundation (BoPiMaFo) president Daniel John Jambun;
- Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia New Zealand (SSRANZ) president Robert Pei;
- Republic of Sabah North Borneo (RSNB) president Moses Anap;
- Sabah Social Community Development Association (BANGUN) president Jovilis Majami;
- Pertubuhan Kebajikan Rumpun Dayak Sabah (PKRDS) president Cleftus Stephen Mojingol; and
- Forum Adat Dataran Tanah Tinggi Borneo (FORMADAT) adviser Ricky Ganang
“The very idea of a ‘conversion quota'[ is disgusting, unethical and a slap in the face to the diverse communities of East Malaysia,” the activists further lambasted.
“It is deeply offensive to the followers of other religions in Sabah and Sarawak who are now being treated as second-class citizens in their own homeland.”
They also demanded an immediate explanation from the Higher Education Minister answers to the following questions:
- Why are non-Muslim students at UiTM being forced to attend religious programmes?
- Is there an official or unofficial policy to push religious conversions on non-Muslim students?
- What are you doing to protect the constitutional rights of non-Muslim Bumiputera students?
“Enough is enough. The people of Sabah and Sarawak will not stand by while our cultural and religious identity is systematically undermined,” asserted the activists.
“If the federal government cannot honour the principles of MA63 and the basic respect for our diversity, then you are forcing us to re-consider our trust and place in this federation.”
They added: “This is not just about religion – it’s about respect, fairness and the future of Malaysia as a multi-cultural nation. We demand justice, accountability and an end to this blatant disregard for the feelings and rights of other religious communities in Sabah and Sarawak.” – Jan 14, 2025
Main image credit: Tourism Selangor
