KUCHING, Aug 16: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has clarified that the party only seeks the opinions of Dr Te Whetu O Rongo in areas of the latter’s expertise.
PBK president Voon Lee Sahan said O Rongo’s expertise includes natives rights.
“Dr. O Rongo spoke during our function upon my invitation. I only sought his opinions concerning certain legal issues of which I was of the opinion he was competent in.
“Dr. O Rongo had agreed to give his opinions when asked about how natives could protect their interests. This includes how Sarawak people can gain independence or exit from the federation of Malaysia,” said Voon in a statement.
Voon said PBK’s struggle for Sarawak’s independence has in recent months caught the eyes of not only Sarawakians but also from people outside of Sarawak including O Rongo.
“Dr. Rongo opines that Malaysia Agreement 1963 is tainted and this is consistent with the opinion held by many leading legal practitioners in our region.
“There are lawyers around me who are keen to bring a suit in our domestic court to determine the legality of the formation of Malaysia,” said Voon.
Voon also expressed his appreciation on O Rongo’s new perspective on Sarawak’s pursuit of her independence.
“Dr. O Rongo has suggested an interesting point in pursuit of Sarawak’s rights and independence by using native customs or adat.
“Given the problems Sarawak has been facing over the past five decades with Malaya, there is no reason for Sarawak to have any political union anymore with Malaya.
“The call by the Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad that Sarawakians should think as Malaysians is no more meaningful. Exit from the Federation of Malaysia by Sarawak should be the solution now,” said Voon.
Voon said O Rongo “seemed happy” when the latter’s opinions on the legality of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the formation of Malaysia was sought after by PBK.
“He opined that Sarawakians should seek a declaration before the court that Sarawak could never ever be a colony to have been invaded,” said Voon. — DayakDaily
