Kota Kinabalu: The administrator of the Facebook group page, Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM), Doris Jones, denied the group was created to instigate the people of Sabah and Sarawak to call for secession from Malaysia but is ready to defend their stand in court.
Unconfirmed but believed to be a lawyer based in UK, she contends it was formed to educate, particularly young Sabahans and Sarawakians, on the truth about the formation of Malaysia and other historical facts "that had been hidden from them".
"The group was purposely named SSKM to show that many people in Sabah and Sarawak have such sentiment. It seems that a big majority of them share similar a very strong sentiment about it," she said in the group's official statement.
According to her, SSKM never forced any individual to join in the struggle but did so on their own accord upon knowing the truth had been kept away from them by Malayan leaders through twisting historical facts.
She said the words by leaders from Sabah such as Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan were also twisted and he had been labelled as a selfish person with vested interest aiming to take Sabah out from the Malaysian Federation.
"SSKM would like to stress that the accusation of instigation by the Federal Government is meant to put us in a bad light and at the same time continue to portray them as the good leaders," she said.
Stating that SSKM would not waver in its struggle that is based on facts supported by valid documents and law, Doris said SSKM believed the threats against them would only strengthen the spirit of the people in Sabah and Sarawak to face the accuser in court.
"The fact is the world is currently watching the Malaysian Government for the injustice committed on the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
"We believe that the threats in the media from the government is actually strengthening our resolve in Sabah and Sarawak to face them in court and argue our case according to valid facts, so that our voices may be heard officially, whether it is in Malaysia or in the international arena," Doris said.
Jones said she received many threats because of the group's aim but added that its arguments are based on facts and backed up by valid documents.
"If these actions are considered wrong in the eyes of the Federal Government then that is their problems not ours," she said.
SSKM has one public Facebook page with over 1,000 "Likes" and another "closed" group with a following of 16,000 people.
The group also has a blog with over 93,000 page views and several videos of historical facts and local people voicing their issues, one which has over 108,000 views since it was posted two years ago.
Jones said she had not received any contact from Home Ministry or the police.
"They can shut it (the blog or Facebook page) if they wish, but I can create another or many more to serve the same purpose. We are ready to deal with them," she said adding that she has received many queries and interview requests from international media.
"To end let me just say Pergo Et Perago and Dum Spiro Spero," she said.
Pergo Et Perago, which is Latin for "I undertake and I achieve" was the motto of the North Borneo Chartered Company and Dum spiro spero which means "While I breathe, I hope" was the motto of the Sarawak Kingdom during the James Brooke administration.
A NGO, Pertubuhan Solidariti Masyarakat Sabah (SMS) and several other NGOs had lodged a joint-police report against SSKM for secession instigation.
SMS protem president Musli Oli claimed that in struggling for their cause SSKM also planted the seeds of hatred among the people in Sabah and Sarawak against the national and Sabah leaders.
He said they were worried that if the group is allowed to continue with its activities it could destroy the existing strong unity and harmony among the people in the country in Sabah and Sarawak.
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