KUCHING: The move to restore Sarawak’s power to recognise its natives will bring clarity to the legal position of the native people of Sarawak.
Federation of Orang Ulu Associations of Sarawak (Forum) president Kennedy Chukpai Ugon pointed out that the term ‘Bumiputera’ is a political term, which is not synonymous to the legal definition of ‘native’.
“The proposed amendment to Article 161A of the Federal Constitution and the laws that the State will later put in place, will finally settle and bring clarity to the legal position of these native people of Sarawak,” he said on Sunday (Oct 17).
The Murum assemblyman said the proposed amendments to Articles 1(2), 160(2) and 161A of the Federal Constitution were not only timely, but should be wholeheartedly supported by Sarawakians of all races, religions and political affiliations.
“On behalf of Forum and all its association members, I therefore, pledge our support and urge the State government to proceed with the proposed amendments. We also plead with all members of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), regardless of their political affiliation, to come in full force to vote for the proposed amendment to the definition of ‘native’ as proposed by the State government.
“We have long suffered many injustices, which needed to be corrected. In tabling these proposed amendments, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak-led (GPS) state government is making the bold and right move to correct these injustices and restore rights that have long been transgressed or ignored,” he added.
He explained that the proposed amendment to Article 161A of the Federal Constitution and the consequent amendments required to State laws, would restore, heal, recognise, entitle and transform the lives of children of mixed marriages between natives and non-native parents by giving them legal recognition and the right to enjoy privileges that are rightly due to them.
“There have been many accounts of children of mixed marriages between native and non-native parents suffering severe injustices,” he stressed, adding that some examples included difficulties in entering higher learning institutions, having the inability to have titled native lands and NCR lands of their native parents transferred to them.”
Kennedy thanked state leaders for their efforts to restore Sarawak’s power to recognise its natives.
“We thank and commend them for their courage and commitment to doing what is right, honourable and good for the people of Sarawak.”
