Bornean Ngo How To Foster National Unity With Rm2 6b Budget 2026 Allotment For One Single Faith

---

 
THE Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia and New Zealand (SSRANZ) is baffled at how Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wishes to promote national unity with the Budget 2026 allocation of RM2.6 bil for Islamic affairs management which is seemingly directed at “influencing voters of one religion”.
The NGO further noted with concern that at a time of serious economic and social challenges, the Madani government appears to use public funds for vote buying, thus raising fundamental questions about federal priorities and governance while further deepening existing divisions between Malaysians.
“SSRANZ respects the basic right of all individuals to believe – or not believe – in any religion,” asserted its president Robert Pei.
Sabah Sarawak Rights Australia and New Zealand (SSRANZ) president Robert Pei“SSRANZ opposes the imposition of religious domination by the state which is unconstitutional, a breach of human rights and a fundamental violation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).”

MA63 of which Sabah and Sarawak are a part of is the agreement that purported to create Malaysia, guarantees secularism, freedom of religion and equality for all citizens by ensuring that all faiths can co-exist in a harmonious society, according to Pei.
“Secular governance doesn’t suppress religious practice; rather, it prevents any single faith from dominating state policy,” contended the Sarawak-born lawyer.
Safeguarding non-Muslim interest
“To put the figures in perspective, RM2.6 bil is roughly half of the annual federal budget allocation for Sabah and Sarawak each in previous years.
“With Sabah’s state elections looming, the federal government has announced a RM6.9 bil allocation to Sabah which further reinforces public perceptions of efforts to influence voter sentiment.”
Interestingly, Pei went on to argue that “even such increases remain insignificant compared to the hundreds of billions siphoned from Sabah and Sarawak’s oil and gas wealth to benefit Malaya since 1976”.

“While substantial funds are directed toward influencing one religious community and selective political outcomes, the Borneo states continue to face chronic under-funding, economic neglect and political marginalisation,” he lamented.
“Both Sabah and Sarawak have suffered 62 years of deprivation to the extent that the ruling Sarawak GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) government has to step in to implement what are federal MA63 obligations to develop the state.”
On this note, Pei who is residing in Australia wants PMX to clarify:
How does allocating RM2.6 bil towards one religion align with the secular terms of MA63 (to which East Malaysian is a part of)?How does privileging a single religion foster national unity in a multi-ethnic, multi-faith nation?What safeguards will ensure that non-Muslim communities in Sabah and Sarawak are not further marginalised?Will the government commit to parity in support for all faiths to genuinely strengthen national unity?“Policies privileging one religion do not create unity – they create division,” insisted Pei.
“It’s therefore entirely understandable and legitimate that Sabahans and Sarawakians assert their right to self-determination and seek independence as repeated marginalisation continues to deny them equal treatment in the federation.” –  Focus Malaysia

---