Baru Bian
KUCHING: Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian said he was disappointed but not surprised to read Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz’s remarks on state Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah’s stand over the Tourism Tax.
Baru, who is state PKR chairman, said Abdul Karim’s stand was correct and the Federal Constitution was initially silent on tourism.
“Parliament empowered itself to legislate on tourism in 1994 by including the subject matter in the Federal List through an Act of Parliament (Act A855, s 45); however this was done without prior consultation and approval from the government of Sarawak and Sabah.
“Therefore, this legislation is null and void. There is no need for me to elaborate any further on the legal issues as these have been covered by the statement of (Batu Lintang assemblyman) YB See Chee How,” he said in a press statement yesterday.
Baru said Nazri’s response was completely off the mark.
Instead of rationally making out a case for subjecting Sarawak to the Tourism Tax, Nazri had let the bullying gangster in him get the better of him and hurled vitriolic insults at Abdul Karim, he added.
“Perhaps it is because he does not possess the faculties for sound reasoning and legal argument even though he is reportedly a lawyer by training.”
Baru said Abdul Karim was absolutely correct to oppose the Tourism Tax and speak up against the federal minister to protect Sarawak’s rights.
Baru said Sarawakians should perhaps thank Nazri for his outburst, for he has betrayed BN/Umno’s unspoken contempt and disdain for Sarawak and Sabah.
“I urge CM Abang Jo to rise up and stand firm for Sarawak’s rights. We have been exploited long enough. Now it is clear that we are despised as well. No self-respecting Sarawakian should accept this shabby treatment any longer.”