Have Referendum Ordinance, SUPP rep tells Sarawak assembly

Meradong assemblyman Ding Kuong Hiing.

KUCHING: A SUPP assemblyman has called on the Sarawak legislative assembly to consider the viability of a Referendum Ordinance on matters concerning the state’s rights and interests.

Meradong assemblyman Ding Kuong Hiing said a referendum would be able to provide a clear answer for the government on controversial policies and provide a clear mandate on the issues concerned.

“Recently, people have been calling for a referendum on matters of paramount importance to Sarawak’s rights and interests, in particular on matters concerning the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the amendment to the Federal Constitution,” he said in his debate at the state legislative assembly here today.

The Pakatan Harapan government, Ding said, had made many promises during the last election but chose to ignore or refused to admit and apologise to the people when they could not fulfil them.

He questioned the promises made by Sarawak Pakatan Harapan, which included a stable price support system for those involved in producing rubber and raw pepper and subsidised public bus services in all major towns.

On Wednesday, Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How said he had been approached by several individuals eager to find out whether he would re-table the Referendum Bill at this state assembly sitting.

However, See said he was willing to table a Referendum Bill in the state legislative assembly sitting, provided the state finance minister supported the bill.

He said he believed that the calls for a Referendum Ordinance in Sarawak came up following the defeat of the Federal Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019, which seeks to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak. - FMT