KUCHING: One must have a good knowledge of relevant laws to understand the amendment to the Constitution of Sarawak because it involves study or research as well as some cross references with other laws such as the Immigration Act.
Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Corporate Affairs and Sarawak Public Communications Unit) Abdullah Saidol said the amendment seeks to lower the age qualification of persons to be elected as a member of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) from 21 to 18 years old.
The second amendment was on the phrase ‘resident in the State’ to mean a citizen belonging to the state of Sarawak in accordance with Section 71 of the Immigration Act 1959/63.
“Apart from academic standpoint, we must also understand the rationale or objective behind the amendment. In short, the amendment was made to qualify a Sarawakian aged 18 and above to become a member of the DUN, while ensuring that the person must be a true Sarawak born.
“I am sure that everyone would agree that we do not want outsiders or people from other states to become a member of the august House,” he said in a statement today.
He noted that DAP (opposition Democratic Action Party) members were too quick to make accusations in order to create a bad image or perception of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government for political gain.
He mentioned that although GPS dominated two-thirds of the seats in the august House and was able to pass the amendment easily, the government did not want to act unilaterally as it was open to any constructive feedback or criticism.
Abdullah also urged Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) to reconsider its cooperation with the DAP as there were many PSB leaders who in the past were very vocal in describing the DAP as a racist and words-twisting party.
