KUCHING: State Reform Party Sarawak (STAR) is challenging Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How to propose Sarawak Independence Referendum Ordinance in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN)sitting this coming May.
Its president Lina Soo stated that the challenge was made following See’s statement reported in a Chinese language newspaper yesterday that he had proposed a referendum law in the state legislature, but it was rejected by the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).
“Does See know the difference between referendum law and independence referendum legislation? There is a world of difference because there is no need to have a referendum law to enable Sarawak to hold an independence referendum.
“This is because the state legislature, if it so wishes, can enact the specific law — Sarawak Independence Referendum Ordinance,” she said in a statement issued yesterday.
Soo further stated that See had misread the sentiments of the people when he proposed a referendum law, so he should correct his misrepresentation in the next sitting.
“Be brave and specific in moving a motion for a Sarawak Independence Referendum Ordinance to be supported by your comrades in Pakatan Harapan.
“Then you’d know which parties support what and which politicians support or don’t support instead of finger pointing and creating a political drama,” said Soo.
Soo also mentioned that there are numerous countries which do not have referendum law in their constitutions but they have conducted many independence referendums.
The United States was the first country in the world to hold an independence referendum in Massachusetts in 1788 when there was no existing referendum law.
Norway does not have a referendum law in its constitution but held an independence referendum on Aug 13, 1905 to split from Sweden for which 99 per cent of the people voted “Yes”.
Indonesia has no referendum law but conducted an independence referendum for Timor Leste in 1999.
