KUCHING, July 19: Sarawak Association for Peoples’ Aspiration (SAPA) is now a legitimate organisation and their struggles for the state are constitutionally legitimate, declared president Lina Soo today.
“We are back! I am ecstatic and justice has prevailed. Sarawakians now have every right to speak out against any perceived violations of the Malaysia Agreement 1963,” Soo said after the Federal Court struck out the appeal of the Home Minister, Registrar of Societies and the Malaysian government today.
“The new federal government’s decision to withdraw their appeal at Federal Court against SAPA is a new beginning. This is also a win for the people of Sarawak,” she said.
The federal government withdrew the appeal because it was inconsistent with the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) government’s stand on freedom of expression and speech.
SAPA was declared unlawful by the Home Ministry on Nov 14, 2014, under the Societies Act 1966, for allegedly carrying out activities prejudicial to the interests of the security of Malaysia and public order.
But the High Court and Court of Appeal collectively dismissed the government’s appeal, citing that it was unconstitutional and without basis.
“Now we are now legitimate. We will continue to speak against violations of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“This is wonderful. Just in time for Sarawak’s independence celebration on July 22,” said Soo. — DayakDaily
