The Sungai ethnic view of Sabah separatist movement (SSKM): A phenomenological study

Various factors drive a people’s struggle to get out of esisting political alliances. The movement by Sabahans to exit Malaysia (SSKM ) is one such example. This study sought to examine and understand the world view of a section of Sabahan ethnic groups on the question of getting Sabah to exit Malaysia, utilizing the phenomenological approach of abductive logic which was based on idealist ontology and constructionism epistemology . Primary data were gathered from in-depth interviews and informal group discussions with 50 Sungai ethnic respondents of the Tongod District. The findings revealed that the respondents’ views were driven by critical considerations such as the rights of Sabah in the Malaysian Constitution and the distribution of power between federal and state governments. Further, the Sungai ethnic perception of the SSKM was influenced by socialization agents, especially the alternative media and their colleagues who worked in Peninsular Malaysia. In conclusion, the view of Sungai ethnic on the issue of SSKM was motivated by local issues (disgruntlement of, and with, local individual groups) and national issues ( the nature of Malaysia’s national governance).