KUCHING, Feb 15: As equal partners in the Federation, the State government has been urged to demand for decentralisation of ‘real’ autonomy power from the Federal government to resolve issues relating to citizenship for stateless children, education, security and border control, immigration, and public health.
This was said by Dudong assemblyman Dato Sri Tiong King Sing during his debate on the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2022 during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
He said following the amendments to the Federal Constitution, Sarawak must now make the relevant amendments to the State Constitution.
He expressed hope that the amendments to come would give concrete and holistic benefits for the long-term future of Sarawak and not be done in a way that would only cause losses to Sarawak instead.
“Let the people reap the true benefits of these amendments to the Federal Constitution. Therefore, I move for autonomy to be granted to Borneo State in line with the spirit of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), particularly in the exploration for petroleum, education, health care, and taxes and levies.”
The Bintulu MP said the amendment shows the State government’s persistence in attaining the recognition of the position and sovereignty of the State under MA63.
“The restoration of Sarawak as Borneo State in the Federal Constitution means the federal government is striving to recognise better the position of Sarawak and rights of the people of Sarawak pursuant to MA63.
“Now, Borneo State is truly an equal partner of the State of Malaya under the Federal Constitution. Sarawak and Sabah will now regard themselves as ‘wilayah’ and no longer as ‘States’ and these changes must be enshrined in our State Constitution.” — DayakDaily
