KUCHING - Opposition leader Chong Chieng Jen has urged Tan Sri Dr James Masing and other BN backbenchers to support his emergency motion to review the state’s position in Malaysia.
Chong, who is Kota Sentosa assemblyman said he submitted the notice of the motion yesterday and it would be due for determination by State Legislative Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar on Thursday.
In his notice of motion, Chong said after 50 years of Malaysia, Umno, the main party in the ruling BN coalition has forgotten that under the Malaysia Agreement, Sarawak joined Sabah and Malaya to form Malaysia as an equal partner in the Federation. and the special rights and autonomy are enshrined in the agreement “On November 11, 2013, a state minister Tan Sri James Masing, openly lamented that ‘when they (Umno) talk to us, they make themselves feel as if they are superior while we in Sarawak, are their coolies’.”
He said there is no point for Masing to make statement outside the House but refuse to support his motion.
Chong stated that Umno’s utter disregard of the state’s equal partner position in the federation takes the form of unfair allocation of development fund for Sarawak and even the ban on the use of word ‘Allah’ by Christians to refer God.
“Though there is a federal cabinet decision allowing Christians in Sabah and Sarawak to use the word ‘Allah’ to refer to God, there continues to be harassment by some government sectors in this regard.”
He said that this stance had undermined Sarawakians’ rights under the Malaysia Agreement and the federal constitution.
“It is thus pertinent that this August House makes a clear stand to remind those in power in West Malaysia of the equal partner status of Sarawak in Malaysia and the special rights and autonomy of Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement and our constitution.”
Chong hereby resolved that the equal partner status of Sarawak in the federation of Malaysia should in no way be undermined.
He also called for a special select committee comprising representatives from both the ruling and opposition parties be appointed to consider the terms of Malaysia Agreement and to recommend measures to make good and restore at the special rights of Sarawak that have been eroded over the past 50 years.
Chong also called for a demand be made to the federal government that oil and gas royalties payable to Sarawak to be increased to 20 per cent.
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