By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Sept 23: Carbon trading is Sarawak’s right under Article 95E of the Federal Constitution and is not a shared right with the federal government as claimed by certain quarters.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg cited Article 95E (2), which reads: “Subject to Clause (5), under Article 91 and under Article 95A, the State Government shall not be required to follow the policy formulated by the National Land Council or by the National Council for Local Government, as the case may be, but the representative of the State shall not be entitled to vote on questions before the Council.”
“Meaning, anything to do with land is the right of the State. Therefore, it is the right of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the right of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) (to fight for it). No question (about it).
“Carbon is included under the Sarawak Land Code, meaning carbon trading is ours.
“The federal government has no authority; its only authority is in terms of regulated trading under international protocol. However, the right to capture and store carbon belongs to Sarawak. PBB must defend that right,” he said when speaking at the PBB Convention for Southern Zone held at Hikmah Exchange here today.
Amongst those present were PBB deputy presidents Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; senior vice presidents Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof and Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom; permanent chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; and secretary-general Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi. — DayakDaily
