Unknown Sabahan probed for secession call

KOTA KINABALU: A little-known political activist going by the name of Doris Jones is the focus of police investigations into a Facebook account "Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia" or SSKM.

Many, including those who are "friends" in the closed group, know little about the Sabahan woman, who claims to be a lawyer residing in the United Kingdom.

Her controversial postings over secession and campaigns via YouTube has led police to investigate her and the group's activities that started the Facebook page on Aug 11, 2011.

It could not be ascertained if Doris Jones was operating in the country or overseas. The SSKM group has 25,000 "friends," including a state cabinet minister, opposition leaders, policemen and even journalists.

Many when contacted said they were not aware of Doris Jones' background though they believed she is Sabahan with some law training from the University of London based on her postings in the blogs about herself.

She is believed to be from Penampang although she has not used her maiden name
after settling down in England many years ago.

Following a report, the administrator of the SSKM Facebook page said in a post they were ready to defend themselves in court and stressed that they were defending Sabah and Sarawak.

The group claimed that it was against any form of violence and aimed to achieve its goals through legal means.

On Wednesday, Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman said investigations have commenced under the Sedition Act and a special task force has been set up to trace individuals and groups behind the Facebook page.

"We believe their actions is a threat to the security of the nation as they are instilling hate and creating disharmony," he said.

It was learned that no arrests have been in connection with the investigations.

Former politician Datuk James Ligunjang, who said he personally knew Doris Jones, said it was best for Putrajaya to listen to grievances of Sabahans instead of taking legal action.

"They should have a roundtable meeting with the people and listen to their grouses," he added.