KUCHING, Oct 2: Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) expressed concern over the federal government’s insistence to form Village Community Management Councils (MPKKs) in the state.
SPA president Datuk John Lau Pang Heng in a statement today questioned if MPKK appointments in Sarawak are in line with the Federal Constitution, particularly Article 95D, which excludes Sabah and Sarawak from national plans for land utilisation, local government, development and others.
“Article (3) of the ordinance said, “The Yang di-Pertua Negeri shall, by notification in the Gazette, designate any person to be the appointing authority for a Chief or Headman in respect of the whole State or any administrative area or for any particular community in Sarawak.” Sarawak has the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) appointed by the Sarawak government in accordance with the ordinance.
“Perhaps the Federal government is not aware of the Sarawak Community Chiefs and Headmen Ordinance 2004,” Lau opined.
SPA also wants to know if the setting up of MPKKs violates the said Sarawak ordinance.
It is concerned that if MPKKs are set up by the federal government, there will be disharmony in the community when members of MPKKs have conflicts with members of JKKKs.
Disharmony, Lau said, might lead to fights and riots.
“When this happens, what is the possibility that the federal government will enforce emergency rule in Sarawak? When this happens, it will be of great disadvantage to Sarawak and her development. People may suffer.
“Sarawak has treasured unity and harmony for the past 56 years. And in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 it was stated that any law passed affecting Sarawak without the Sarawak government’s consent and approval is not enforceable in Sarawak,” he added.
SPA also supported Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s recent statement of “why should we agree if you touch our rights?”
Abang Johari was commenting on Works Minister Baru Bian’s statement that MPKK shall proceed despite protests from the Sarawak government.
“Therefore, SPA members call upon the people of Sarawak to stand behind Abang Johari against the infringement of Sarawak rights,” Lau concluded. — DayakDaily
