KOTA KINABALU, Thursday, 9 October 2025:
Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), are deeply concerned over calls by Peninsular politicians to ban alcohol at official functions, and this may include Sabah’s state-endorsed events.
This is a direct intrusion into our autonomy and contradicts the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Under MA63, the 18 and 20 Points clearly guarantee Sabah and Sarawak the right to religious and cultural freedom. These provisions form the foundation of Malaysia’s federal structure and safeguard our state’s autonomy.
In Sabah, many Chinese cultural celebrations in Sabah, such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year, feature traditional toasts, reflecting our rich heritage and communal spirit.
Similarly, the Kaamatan (Harvest Festival), which is the state’s official celebration and the spirit of rice, features tapai or lihing (traditional rice wine) prepared as an offering to Kinorohingan, the rice spirit, and served to guests as a gesture of friendship and goodwill.
These cultural celebrations are not only central to Sabah’s identity but also attract millions of tourists each year, boosting the state’s economy and showcasing Sabah as a vibrant, diverse destination.
If official functions are subjected to a blanket alcohol ban, we cannot celebrate Kaamatan and other traditional events in its true form. We would be forced into a distorted version that undermines our cultural identity.
We condemn any attempts by Peninsular political parties to impose their religious or political agendas on Sabah.
If these Malayan parties gain influence in Sabah’s government, even our official celebrations could be altered or restricted.
Sabah co-found Malaysia as an equal partner, not a subordinate. We have the right to determine our cultural, administrative, and policy decisions without external interference.
SAPP reaffirm: defending Sabah’s autonomy is defending Sabah’s future. We call on all Sabahans to stand firm and ensure our culture, institutions, and governance remain decided solely by Sabah, for Sabah.
Datuk Chong Pit Fah
SAPP Vice President