KUCHING, Sept 25: Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S) is urging the state government to enact a Referendum Ordinance to enable Sarawakians to make their stand on issues that matter to the state.
S4S spokesperson Erick Chin said many people participated in a recent seminar in Miri that focused on the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Oil Mining Ordinance 1958 (2018) and Sarawak’s Gas Distribution Ordinance, including present and former lawmakers, councillors and representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“Even some GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) leaders and members were there. In that seminar, it was agreed that Sarawak must set up a firewall to prevent any of its rights from being further eroded or taken away by the federal government.
“To do so, a referendum ordinance must be enacted so that in case Parliament enacts new laws or make amendments to change the Federal Constitution, a referendum may be called to reject the decision,” said Chin in a statement written in Chinese.
Chin revealed that S4S had submitted a petition together with 270,000 signatures of Sarawakians to the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem in 2015 to request the enactment of such a law.
“Is the GPS government going to pretend it does not know about it (the wish of the petitioners) and be weak and continue to please the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government?
“People are giving the GPS government the support, so the GPS government must be firm and stand up for Sarawak’s rights,” Chin asserted.
He stressed that the state was only asking for what belonged to the state, adding that the state government did not have to “beg” the PH government as the rights belonged to Sarawak.
“The PH government has made many promises, and these promises will not materialise. The GPS government should not have any more fantasy that PH government will return Sarawak’s rights,” he said.
Chin believed the PH government had no interest in helping Sarawak and that it is only interested in reaping the state’s resources.
“Whether we should remain in Malaysia, it all depends on Sarawakians. It is estimated that between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of Sarawakians support Sarawak exiting Malaysia. The GPS government must make a decision on this matter,” he said.
Chin pointed out that since GPS had 71 seats in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly, it should be easy to get the proposed ordinance passed, unless there is a lack of political will.
“If it is so difficult for GPS to do what the people want, Sarawakians will abandon GPS in 2021 (the next state election is due that year), just like how Malaysians abandon Umno, MCA and Gerakan in the 14th General Election (on May 9). GPS must take this seriously,” said Chin. — DayakDaily
