KUCHING: The Interpretation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 is timely and indicates the commitment of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government in listening to problems faced by the people and working towards a solution.
“This will help a lot and respond to the calls and complaints of our people in Sarawak,” said Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman (GPS-Tupong) when debating in support of the Interpretation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today.
He said numerous complaints had been received from people of Sarawak who have one native Sarawakian parent as they faced issues in acquiring assets such as land or a house.
“This would sometimes take six or seven months to confirm that they are a native of Sarawak,” he said.
At the same time, he expressed disappointment in Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan) bringing up the matter of racial discrimination earlier with regard to the Bill.
He said in the earlier part of Chong’s debate speech where he was fighting for the rights of the Chinese, this was welcomed.
“But then it escalated to a point that he even mentioned racial discrimination, accusing that the Bill leads to racial discrimination,” he said.
He said this was very dangerous, adding that members of the DUN should refrain from making such accusations especially in Sarawak – a multi-ethnic state.
“We know that every time we discuss about a race, a custom, or a religion, it is a sensitive matter. And every time, this chamber must become an example to discuss it in the best way, because as we know, in Sarawak we have various races living together harmoniously,” he said.
