Bajau Sama Leaders Caution Against Peninsula Influence and Propaganda

Bajau Sama Community Leader Urges Protection of Sabah’s Unity Amid Political Tensions

A prominent leader from the Bajau Sama community has issued a stark warning about the potential threat of outside political narratives to Sabah’s longstanding tradition of unity as the state approaches its upcoming elections.

Speaking at the inauguration of a new community hall in Kota Kinabalu, Jumat Idris, vice-president of Persatuan Rumpun Bajau Sama Sabah (PRBSS), urged community members to remain focused on preserving Sabah’s distinctive social harmony.

“All Bajau Sama communities must stay united and not listen to the propaganda and slander brought in from Peninsular Malaysia, because that is not Sabah’s culture,” Jumat stated firmly. “Sabah’s way is unity. We do not discriminate by ethnicity or religion.”

The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including Abdul Kassim Razali, political secretary to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Hajiji Noor, who represented the caretaker chief minister at the event.

Kassim echoed Jumat’s sentiments on unity, describing Sabah’s multicultural identity as one of its greatest strengths. He emphasized that the newly opened hall should serve not only the Bajau Sama people but all ethnic groups in the region.

“In Sabah, we live among many different ethnic groups and communities, and this cultural diversity must be celebrated. The cultures of all Sabah communities are a major attraction for tourists,” Kassim noted.

Beyond political considerations, both leaders expressed deep concern about the preservation of Bajau Sama cultural heritage, particularly the alarming decline in language use and traditional practices among younger generations.

“We want to develop places where the Bajau Sama community can gather, especially the younger generation, so they can learn their culture and language and prevent it from being lost with time,” Jumat explained. He pointed to a troubling trend where Bajau Sama children increasingly use only the national language at home, despite having Bajau parents.

Kassim, who also serves as PRBSS secretary-general, revealed that protecting the Bajau Sama language from extinction is one of the association’s primary missions.

“We are concerned that some aspects of Bajau Sama culture are being sidelined, possibly because of influences from other cultures,” he said. “This is why Hajiji envisioned an association that can protect and champion Bajau Sama culture, especially its longstanding traditions and language.”

The concerns raised reflect broader cultural preservation challenges faced by indigenous and minority communities throughout Malaysia, where rapid urbanization and modernization often lead to cultural erosion. For the Bajau Sama, who have a rich maritime heritage and distinctive traditions in Sabah, these challenges are particularly acute.

Kassim specifically highlighted urban-fringe areas as locations where assimilation pressures are strongest, calling for community leaders to intensify cultural programs in these regions. The newly launched community hall represents a concrete step toward providing the Bajau Sama people with a dedicated space for cultural, educational, and community-building activities.

The timing of these statements holds particular significance as Sabah prepares for state elections, a period when political rhetoric often intensifies. The leaders’ emphasis on protecting Sabah’s unique multicultural character suggests concerns that external political influences could potentially disrupt the state’s delicate social balance.

As one of Sabah’s significant ethnic communities, the Bajau Sama’s cultural preservation efforts and political stance may play an important role in shaping the state’s future direction amid increasing political competition between local parties and those with ties to Peninsular Malaysia.