MELBOURNE: Oct 24, 2026 — the Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) Australia organisation displayed the Malaysian flag upside down as a symbol of political unease over questions surrounding the formation of Malaysia and the position of Sabah and Sarawak.
The act was carried out during a peaceful demonstration by the group in front of the Parliament Building of Victoria, Melbourne, today.
Its president, Ray Chalmer Jefferson, said the demonstration in conjunction with United Nations (UN) Day aimed to bring historical questions, the rights of the people and the political future of Sabah and Sarawak to international attention.
“On this UN Day, we call on the international community to listen to the voices of the people of Sabah and Sarawak. The display of this flag carries a message of unease and a demand that our questions be answered with verifiable evidence,” he said.
In the action, SSKM (Australia) raised several key questions, including the source of authority given to the representatives of North Borneo and Sarawak to sign the Malaysia Agreement on 9 July 1963 and the documentary instruments proving it.
The organisation also questioned the method of ascertaining the will of the people during the formation era. It further raised the question of how the people of the two Borneo states today can express their political choices freely, peacefully and in an informed manner.
They therefore took the position that the validity of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) should be challenged and re-examined through an independent review of documents and legal aspects.
However, they clarified that the position needs to be fully tested based on historical evidence. It does not mean that the court has ruled MA63 as invalid.
SSKM (Australia) also called for the disclosure of relevant historical records to enable independent scrutiny and consideration by relevant UN bodies in accordance with their respective mandates and procedures.
They also advocated for a peaceful referendum process with a clear legal framework and democratic protections. However, they stressed that the call does not in any way mean that the UN has supported the campaign.
In the same statement, the organisation stated its position of rejecting any form of hatred, threats or hostility towards Malaysians. They also confirmed that they operate independently without affiliation with SSKM United Kingdom (UK).
Source: SSKM (Australia)
