By Shikin Louis
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21: The Sarawak government has requested the insertion of the phrase ‘…with consent from Sarawak’ into Sarawak Labour Ordinance 1959.
Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said this is important to prevent the federal government from ‘bulldozing’ (amending the law) without consulting Sarawak.
“The Prime Minister (Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has contacted me, and he informed me that he will bring up to the committee stage the insertion of ‘with consultation and consent from Sarawak’.
“That is all. If not, we fear that a lot of laws are not consulted with us, and they just go ahead (with amending the law),” he said during a townhall session at Lan Berambeh Anak Sarawak 2023 held at Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) Kuala Lumpur here today.
He further recited the case of the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974, which saw many parties criticising Sarawak Members of Parliament (MPs) and claimed that they allowed the approval of the Act.
“Therefore, under my leadership this time, I am very (defensive) so that our rights are protected, especially when it comes to the amendment to our laws,” he added. — DayakDaily
