KUCHING, Sept 5: State Reform Party (STAR) says Sarawak Pakatan Harapan (PH) should not create fear and anxiety amongst Sarawakians that raising query on the possibility of federal’s violation of Sarawak’s rights may incite anti-federal sentiments.
Its president Lina Soo further called on all state lawmakers to stand together to fight for Sarawak’s rights.
“The opposition in Sarawak should not create fear and anxiety amongst Sarawakians by alleging that questioning Federal legislation which may have violated the rights of Sarawakians will incite anti-federal sentiments.
“Are they for the people of Sarawak, or they owe their allegiance to their political masters only?” asked Soo.
She said it has been no secret that Sarawak has been dominated and exploited by Barisan Nasional (BN) for the past 56 years.
“Why waste time with pointing fingers now and allow the injustices to continue, rather than studying our constitutional position and coming up with solutions to fix our grievances.
“In this respect, I hope all ADUN will work together instead of against each other, for a better Sarawak,” said Soo in a statement today.
She further asserted that protecting Sarawak rights within the constitutional ambit of State and Federal legislation is not ‘reckless’,
Soo was responding to PKR Batu Lintang Assemblyman See Chee How’s recent statement which described Minister of Infrastructure and Ports Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing as ‘reckless’ in the latter’s attempt to look into both Sarawak and Federal Constitutions to determine if Sarawak could take back the Bintulu Port.
“Instead, it (the fight to take back Sarawak’s lost rights) is the right thing to do and the noble duty of all elected lawmakers of Sarawak to uphold and to guard zealously,” said Soo.
She alleged that See’s claim that all Barisan Nasional (BN) parliamentarians from Sarawak fully supported the passing of the Bintulu Port Authority 1978 and the Declaration of An Area in the Bintulu District to be a Federal Port 1979 validate and legitimize the establishment of Bintulu Port under Bintulu Authority Act 1981 to be “ill-advised and foolhardy”.
“See is confused between the roles and powers of elected Members of Parliament (MP) and Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN). The Sarawak MPs have no power or mandate to decide on Sarawak matters, specifically land and local government.
“In the Federal Parliament, Sarawak MPs do not represent the Sarawak government or DUN,” explains Soo, adding that it does not matter if they supported Federal law which goes against the interests of the Sarawak people.
Soo cited the special protections for Sarawak enshrined in the Federal Constitution – Article 95D which expressly forbids Parliament to pass uniform laws about land or local government for Sarawak; and Articles 76(1)(c), 76(3) and 76(4) which prohibits Parliament to legislate on land matters without the approval and consent of Sarawak Legislative Assembly. — DayakDaily
