KUCHING, April 22: Stop giving ‘lame excuses’ on the Federal Constitution Amendment Bill 2019 issue and start focusing on your job as a deputy minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs.
Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Women’s chief Kho Teck Wan said this after state Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Chong Chieng Jen stated recently that a show-cause letter from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) did not mention the need to amend Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution.
In view of the sluggish economy, Kho advised Chong to focus his attention on ways to reduce the cost of goods and provide more business opportunities for Sarawakians.
Kho argued that the need to amend the definition of ‘Federation’ in Article 160(2) was known to both PH as well as GPS Members of Parliament.
Hence, she was puzzled as to why during the second reading of the bill, no PH MPs mentioned the need to amend Article 160(2) during the 7-hour debate.
“Should the bill passed on April 9, it will further affirm Sarawak as one of the 13 states in the Federation of Malaya. Sarawak will not be in any better position than she currently is,” said Kho.
She added that GPS would continue to fight for federal recognition of Sarawak as an equal partner with Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia.
Kho opined that currently, many Sarawakians were taking an interest in learning the contents of the Malaysia Agreement 1963, IGC Reports and the Federal Constitution.
“Sarawakians are more aware of our rights as compared to the year 1976. The late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem led us on the journey of devolution of power.
“Sarawak also has more professionals and is much stronger financially than in 1976. Any move to mislead the public will not pass the sharp eyes of Sarawakians easily,” she cautioned. — DayakDaily
