KUCHING, Jan 16: Holding a referendum is the right, non-violent way for Sarawak to gain its independence, opines Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party (Aspirasi) president Lina Soo.
Soo said Sarawak’s right to independence lies in the international law of self-determination which is the legal right of the people of a nation to choose their own political status and pursue economic, cultural and social development freely.
“This right to self-determination is enshrined in Article 1 of the 1945 Charter of the United Nations, and Sarawak has the right to independence because we are a nation with a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, a culture and a history.
“These are prerequisites for self-determination and Statehood in international law,” she said during a press conference at a local hotel, here today.
According to Soo, the way forward to Sarawak independence must be constitutional, which means it has to be done via the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) and Parliament, and has to be internationally recognised by the United Nations (UN).
She said it must be done peacefully, and most importantly, it must have the consent of the people.
“So Aspirasi will pursue Sarawak independence, peacefully and in a non-violent way and not the way that’s going to shock the people.
“It is a way where the majority of the people will agree and consent through voting for it. This is our vision and mission for Sarawak” she added.
Soo also gave assurance that Aspirasi will continue to push for independence for Sarawak until it becomes a reality.
“We invite Sarawakians to join in and make our independence mission a meaningful and successful journey,” she said. — DayakDaily
