KUCHING: Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Central Women chief, Kho Teck Wan, expressed her pride that MPs from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) objected the proposed amendment to the Federal Constitution Article 1(2).
“I am confident they will fight harder and more courageously for Sarawak tomorrow. Sarawakians are now more informed, learned and careful,” she said.
In a press statement, Kho echoed and supported GPS’ decision to delay the amendment to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution.
According to her, the amendment was proposed in a rush and effects no change to the status of Sabah and Sarawak. It was proposed without consultation with Sarawak State Assembly.
Besides, the Malaysia Agreement 1963 also states that constitutional amendment affecting the Borneo states shall not be made without the concurrence of their governors.
She reminded Sarawakians once again that any amendment on paper would mean nothing if resources are not given after the autonomies had been restored.
“Although Sarawak Pakatan Harapan leaders shamelessly claimed the credit for starting the MA63 negotiation, all Sarawakians should know that the fight for Sarawak’s autonomy was started by the late Chief Minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem (Tok Nan),” said Kho.
Kho reminded Sarawakians that in 2016, the MA63 technical committee set up during the previous administration successfully completed the first phase of devolution of power.
Tok Nan successfully fought for 13 administrative empowerments to be delegated to the Sarawak government. These powers give greater autonomy to Sarawak officers to perform administrative duties which were previously handled by federal officers.
Adenan’s devolution of power negotiation with the then Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak resulted in greater administrative powers for Sarawak legal, education, medical, environmental and traffic officers.
This effort increased the number of immigration officers and Sarawak-born teachers stationed in the state. Sarawakians are also given more opportunities to enter foundation study programmes in Unimas. Housing and sports will be jointly managed by Sarawak and the federal government.
“These efforts are not window dressing; they are real autonomies for Sarawak,” stressed Kho.
“The PH government promised Sarawak 20 per cent oil royalty and the return of 50 per cent sales tax collected in Sarawak. However, instead of delivering the promises, Sarawak was presented with the amendment of Federal Constitution Article 1(2),” said Kho.
Kho viewed the proposed amendment as a delay and diversion tactics to distract Sarawakians from pursuing the real autonomies. Therefore, she urged Sarawakians to stay focus on pursuing the real autonomies.
Kho reminded the people that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari continued the fight for Sarawak by boldly imposing 5 per cent sales tax on exported oil and gas products.
“What is the use of amending the Federal Constitution when the people are suffering from increased cost of living and the sales and services tax (SST), while Petronas continues to extract our oil and gas, and the federal government continues to cancel Sarawak’s infrastructure development projects?” Kho asked.
