Malaysian Flag Flown Upside Down During Sabah Independence Protest In Australia, Minister Urges Police Reports!
A demonstration calling for Sabah and Sarawak’s independence has sparked controversy after protesters displayed the Malaysian flag upside down outside Melbourne’s Parliament of Victoria on 24 October 2026. Activist Mosses PA Ampang defended the act as a political statement against alleged oppression. Malaysian minister Mustapha Sakmud subsequently urged the public to lodge police reports over the incident.
Why Did Protesters Display Malaysia’s Flag Upside Down In Melbourne?
A demonstration outside the Parliament of Victoria in Melbourne has drawn attention after a group advocating independence for Sabah and Sarawak displayed the Jalur Gemilang upside down. The protest was organised by Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) Australia on 24 October, coinciding with United Nations Day. Participants carried Sabah and Sarawak flags alongside placards expressing opposition to Malaysia’s federal government. Among those addressing the gathering was Mosses PA Ampang, also known as Mosses Paul Anap, who leads the Republic of Sabah North Borneo (RSNB) organisation. He said the inverted Malaysian flag was deliberately used to express the group’s political grievances.
Activist Says Independence Campaign Will Remain Peaceful
During his speech, Mosses accused the Malaysian government of mistreating the people of Sabah and Sarawak, claiming that some Sabahans feared speaking openly about their political views. He argued that staging the demonstration in Australia would help draw international attention to the group’s demands. Mosses also criticised what he described as the use of sensitive racial, religious and royal issues to discourage political dissent. Despite the strong accusations, he maintained that the organisation intended to pursue its objectives through peaceful and lawful means rather than violence. These allegations represent the activist’s position and have not been established as findings of fact.
Malaysian Minister Calls For Police Reports Over Flag Display
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud criticised the incident, warning that the display could affect the reputation of Malaysians living and studying in Australia. He encouraged members of the public to file police reports so authorities could examine the circulated material under applicable laws. The latest demonstration follows an earlier protest in Melbourne in September 2024, when activists were filmed replacing a Malaysian flag with Sabah and Sarawak flags. That earlier incident prompted a police investigation and 35 reports. However, the previous investigation should not be confused with the October 2026 demonstration, for which no new arrests or charges were confirmed.
KEY FACTS
What Happened: Activists displayed the Jalur Gemilang upside down during a demonstration demanding independence for Sabah and Sarawak.
Who Is Involved: Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia (SSKM) Australia, activist Mosses PA Ampang and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
Where: Outside the Parliament of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
When: 24 October 2026, coinciding with United Nations Day.
Current Status: The protest has drawn criticism, and Mustapha Sakmud has urged the public to lodge police reports. No confirmed arrests or new charges were reported in connection with the October demonstration.
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SOURCES
Primary report: The Rakyat Post, 28 October 2026.
Event: A demonstration calling for Sabah and Sarawak’s independence, involving the display of an upside-down Malaysian flag.
Location: Parliament of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
Source material: Reporting on the SSKM Australia demonstration, Mosses PA Ampang’s recorded speech, photographs and videos shared online, and remarks by Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
Status: The demonstration took place on 24 October 2026. A Malaysian minister has urged the public to lodge police reports. No confirmed arrests or charges relating to the latest demonstration were reported.
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