KUCHING: As equal partners in the Federation of Malaysia, the Sarawak government is urged to demand for decentralisation of real autonomy power from the federal government to resolve issues in the state.
The issues are citizenship for stateless children, education, security and border control, immigration and public health of the state.
Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing (GPS-Dudong) said following the amendments to the Federal Constitution, Sarawak must now make the relevant amendments to the State Constitution.
“I hope that the amendments to come will give concrete and holistic benefits for the long-term future of Sarawak. Let it not be done in a flippant way that would only cause losses to Sarawak instead.
“Let the people reap the true benefits of these amendments to the Federal Constitution. Therefore, I move for autonomy to be granted to Borneo State in line with the spirit of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), particularly in the exploration for petroleum, education, health care and taxes and levies to be granted to Sarawak,” he said this when debating in support of the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2022 during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
The amendment shows the Sarawak government’s persistence in attaining the recognition of the position and sovereignty of the state under MA63.
He who is also the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister to China, said the restoration of Sarawak as Borneo state in the Federal Constitution means the federal government is striving to better recognise the position of Sarawak and rights of the people of Sarawak pursuant to MA63.
“Now, Borneo state is truly an equal partner of the State of Malaya under the Federal Constitution. Sarawak and Sabah will now regarded themselves as ‘wilayah’ (region) and no longer as “states” and these changes must be enshrined in our State Constitution.
“From a geographic aspect, Sarawak must not be restricted in its authority or autonomy powers affecting citizenship, education, healthcare, and security under the Federal List and its rights must be given to the state,” he said.
Therefore, the Sarawak Cabinet also needs to be enlarged to undertake and discharge these responsibilities effectively for the benefit of the people of Sarawak.
“We must take in context that Sarawak constitutes an area of 124,449 square kilometres. With our growing population and rapid development, it is time for us to review the existing seat allocations and whether it is suited to allow our elected representatives to continue to take care of the welfare of the people comprehensively and ensure their livelihoods are not ignored.
“Sarawak is a rather unique state as one constituency could be the size of other states, therefore, with greater autonomy, the state should also make the most effective adjustments to interests of the people,” he said.
The Bintulu MP said Sarawak must also strive to implement these proposals towards decentralisation of autonomy powers by passing the appropriate resolutions in the August house or by amending the related portions of the State Constitution.
These efforts must be done with the objective of “Sarawak First” for the benefit of the people of Sarawak.
Tiong stated that the Sarawak government, in accordance to Article 121D of the Federal Constitution, is urged to consider reviewing an increase of the Special Grant to Sarawak under Part IV and the increase of oil royalties from 5 per cent to 10 per cent as provided under Part V of the 10th Schedule of the Federal Constitution. This additional revenue is vital to the development of Sarawak’s state infrastructure.
