Baru Bian
KUCHING: State PKR chairman Baru Bian questioned Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem whether the discussions on autonomy between the state government and federal government had hit a snag.
Baru, who is Ba Kelalan assemblyman, noted that Adenan had said the discussions had reached the second phase, and appreciated that there had been some development.
“However, we cannot help but question why he felt the need to issue a ‘warning’ about the failure to deliver on the promise on autonomy.
“It could be just a general statement from the chief minister, but at the same time, it could mean that the federal government is not as receptive as the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had led us all to believe when he was campaigning during the Sarawak elections,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
An online news portal recently reported Adenan as saying that the Barisan Nasional has to show ‘results’ in the discussions over the devolution of federal power to the state, or risk an opposition victory in the 14th General Election.
Baru reiterated the point made by his colleague Batu Lintang assemblyman and state PKR vice chairman See Chee How last month, that the federal government, Sarawak and Sabah must make public the powers to be devolved to Sarawak and Sabah.
“We should be informed on the contents of this very important discussion and be given the opportunity to provide feedback as it involves our rights and the rights of our generations to come.
“Although we are not privy to the items under negotiations, we wish to suggest that these matters include religious freedom, education and representation in Parliament.”
On religion, Baru pointed out that the 9th Schedule of the Federal Constitution provides that matters on Islamic law fall under the State List, and he would like the federal government to be reminded of this.
“The National Registration Department has no authority to dictate or interfere in these matters and this must be made absolutely clear.”
On education, Baru hoped that Adenan would be firm in insisting that the state’s medium of instruction should be English, and negotiate for the state to be autonomous in its education policy and syllabus.
On representation in Parliament, he said the Cobbold Commission stated in its report under paragraphs 165 and 190(g) that there was strong support for the merger and that the representation of the Borneo states in the Federal Parliament should make up 34 per cent of parliamentary seats and take account not only their populations but also their size and potentialities.
“Article 161E of the Federal Constitution provides for the protection of this quota for the two states in that no amendment is allowed without their consent. The ratio has dwindled to 25 per cent now and we urge the chief minister to ensure the restoration of the quota of 34 per cent to Sabah and Sarawak, in adherence to the policy that the number of parliamentary seats in Peninsular Malaysia must not be more than two thirds of the total parliamentary seats.”
He continued: “In fact, we feel that the allocation of Parliamentary seats is very crucial and I think that’s the reason why we have a lot of problems with the passing of laws besides the fact that our representatives had remained silent in the Parliament and not objecting to certain laws that had been passed that are found to be unconstitutional like the Territorial Sea Act 2012.”
Baru said the chief minister himself had also noted in his speeches in the State Legislative Assembly that laws that affected Sarawakians had been passed in Parliament without their consent.
“The erosion of our veto powers has enabled this to happen and we must regain this power, which was a crucial factor in our agreeing to be a partner in the Federation of Malaysia.”
He said PKR is behind the chief minister in this negotiation to regain the state’s rights and is willing to assist the government in any way it can.