KUCHING, April 9: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii calls for the Federal government to explain the purported decision to refer Sarawak and Sabah as “Wilayah” instead of “Negeri” even without any changes or amendments to the Federal Constitution.
Dr Yii in a press statement today said it should not be a mere cosmetic change without any legal authority to create a false sense of security as a lure for the upcoming State Elections.
According to him, this can be likened to where someone uses his “glamour name” to look good, but legally in his Identity Card, his name is totally different thus giving that “glamour name” no legal standing at all.
“In Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s speech last week, he mentioned that the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) will announce its decision on several issues, including the Federal Constitution amendment and socioeconomic matters concerning Sarawak and Sabah this week.
“Don’t tell me this “cosmetic change of name” is all that is supposed to be announced? If not, the prime minister should reconvene Parliament and that is the best place to have proper debate and input towards such an important topic such as this,” he said.
Dr Yii questioned what are the differences of Sarawak’s “wilayah” with that of Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur and Labuan, which is under the jurisdiction and authority of the Federal government that creates and approves laws for that territory.
He noted this is important as this concerns Sarawak’s rights and to determine whether it is indirectly affirming more control of the Federal government over Sarawak and Sabah.
“That is why, Parliament should open immediately, and it is the best platform for such substantive discussion and debates. There must be greater accountability when it comes to discussion of our rights under MA63,” he added.
Dr Yii also pointed out that the current model under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government has truly little accountability and it is not known who is in the Special Council on MA63.
He stressed discussion on matters of such importance should not happen only with parties on one political divide and very little accountability to the people who are affected by it.
“Let us not make the same mistakes in the past under Barisan Nasional (BN) when such rights were taken away without the people knowing as it was done purely by one side of the political divide.
“That is why, if the PM is genuine and sincere about restoring our rights, there is no need to wait until the next General Election. He can open Parliament right now as it is the best platform for substantive debates and discussion on the matter with full transparency and accountability to the people,” he said. — DayakDaily
