KUCHING: Sarawak must only allow those born in the state to stand in the state election.
Following the nomination of Penang-born Loh Ee Eng as an appointed assembly in Sabah, Sarawak Patriot Association (SPA) is worried that West Malaysian-based parties would select its candidates from outside the state to contest in safe seats come the state election in 2021.
Its chairman Datuk John Lau therefore urged the state government to amend the Sarawak constitution to only allow on Sarawakian-born Malaysians to be eligible to contest.
“The amendment needs to also include that only a Malaysian born in Sarawak can be appointed as chief minister or ministers,” he said in press statement.
When the amendment is done, Sarawak will prevent a non-Sarawakian or a Sarawak permanent resident to stand in any election.
“What has happened in Sabah is a good lesson to Sarawak. We need to be fully aware of the real political wave from West Malaysia. They would like to have full control of Sarawak. It has captured Sabah and their mission is to capture us next.
“SPA felt this is possible as in Parliament an MP has questioned Sarawak of the immigration control. And they are not aware that immigration is under the control of Sarawak as stated in Malaysia Agreement 1963,” he pointed out.
He also cautioned that if the West Malaysian-based parties win the majority of seats in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), one of them may be appointed as a chief minister or appointed as other ministers.
“SPA is speaking aloud and asking if there is such a possibility,” he queried.
He then said under the Sabah constitution, the Head of State of Sabah upon advice from the chef minister, may appoint six assemblymen, and they are silent on non-Sabahan’s appointment as a nominated assemblyman.
“When we look at the history of Malaysia, it was formed with four partners comprising of Malaya, Singapore (left in 1965), Sabah and Sarawak. Each partner is supposed to be independent before the four partners formed Malaysia on September 16, 1963,” he stressed.
He said each partner should have its own government by the people, of the people and for the people. Therefore, each partner’s government comprised of its own people.
“This alone disqualified a candidate from outside to be a candidate or assemblyman of any constituency in Sabah.”
