KUCHING: The proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution (FC) will strengthen Sarawak’s position in the Malaysian federation.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth chief Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu took note of the amendment to Article 160(2) of the FC to define Sept 16 as Malaysia Day and to incorporate the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA 63) into the Constitution.
“This spells out Sarawak’s rights based on the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) and the Cobbold Commission reports,” he told New Sarawak Tribune yesterday (Oct 17).
He said another important amendment is the interpretation of natives in Article 161A of the FC to include all ‘Natives’ as per the State Constitution and making children of any parent being indigenous to the state deemed as natives.
“This is crucial especially to the Dayaks for their children to be recognised as natives of Sarawak.
“Presently, the wording in the FC is Sea Dayaks and Land Dayaks only, not Iban or Bidayuh. This will help to solve the conundrum of transferring native land and other properties to their children,” he said.
The Layar assemblyman also welcomed Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s stance on the proposed amendments.
“This is in line with the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government’s objectives of restoring our eroded rights in the spirit of MA63,” said Rentap.
