KUCHING, Nov 12: Any amendment to Article 16 (2) of the Sarawak Constitution may put the later in limbo because of Section 71 of the Immigration Act 1959/63 (Act 155), asserts Muara Tuang assemblyman Datuk Idris Buang.
Debating over the Bill which was earlier moved by Asajaya assemblyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah in the Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) sitting this morning, Idris said, “Under the eight schedule and incorporation of the reference to Section 71, it came with anomaly and ambiguity, which was why proper clarifications and definitions needed to be made.”
On the other hand, he also pointed out that the amendment made was not to open the doors for outsiders, but to close it as much as possible.
“That is the purpose and exact intention of the amendment in the first place. While I support the bill, any anomalies and ambiguities on the wording ‘resident in the State’ need to be addressed.
“Sec 16 is very pertinent. We must ensure that only true blue Sarawakian can be to be part of this August House. It is on this score that I would like to congratulate the present state government Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) for coming up with the bill,” Idris said.
As to lowering the minimum age from 21 to 18 years to be able to stand for an election, Idris asserted that the amendment is timely as well.
“In this generation, our youth are dynamic and rich in ideas. Under Muara Tuang constituency we have clusters of universities and colleges. These young Sarawakians have the vision to be leaders and now is the right time for them to learn and be involved in politics,” Idris opined.
However, he pointed out that these youths need guidance to be ethical and of good character from the start if they want to be in politics.
Meanwhile, Idris also reminded the opposition to look back at their past quotes and believe in what they themselves said before.
“Bawang Assan assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh who was not on the opposition side than used to quote Abraham Lincon ‘You can fool some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time. Now that you are in the opposition, I hope you believe in what you have quoted before,” he said. – DayakDaily
