WE WANT INDEPENDENCE FROM MALAYSIA – OBSCURE SARAWAK PARTY DEMANDS RCI INTO POSSIBLE ‘ILLEGAL’ FORMATION OF MALAYSIA: AHEAD OF STATE POLLS, POLITICAL OPPORTUNISTS REAR THEIR HEADS

A LITTLE-KNOWN Sarawak political party said it will run in the coming state election on the promise of independence after its leaders blame Putrajaya for “putting up a charade” during the recent constitutional amendment.

Voon Lee Shan, legal advisor to Parti Bumi Kenyalang, said more Sarawakians are calling for independence after Putrajaya’s failed attempt to restore equal status to Sabah and Sarawak as per the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

“Parti Bumi Kenyalang has heard the voices of people seeking independence from the federation of Malaysia and will contest in the coming state election, seeking independence for Sarawak,” said Voon, who was the DAP assemblyman for Batu Lintang from 2006 to 2011.

“The federal government knows the people of Sabah and Sarawak are unhappy that many rights in the MA63 have been watered down and or not been implemented. It is for these reasons, the proposed amendment was tabled.”

Voon said despite the failure of the amendment to be passed, Putrajaya has acknowledged that there have been “fundamental breaches” of MA63.

He urged the Sabah and Sarawak governments to get Putrajaya to conduct a royal commission of inquiry into the legality of the formation of Malaysia, since the terms of MA63 have not been met.

He said if the inquiry finds the formation of Malaysia had not been properly constituted in accordance with international law, Sabahans and Sarawakians must pressure their state governments to seek a declaration that the formation of Malaysia was void.

Voon added without any intention by the federal government to amend other provisions in the constitution giving equal voice in parliament to Sabah and Sarawak, the impression of many people in the Borneo states is that they are merely colonies of the federation.

Sarawak’s state election must be held by 2021.

THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT