by NOOR SYAHHIRA HADY & NEVILLE TIMOTHY SANDERS

KUCHING: The state government is in the midst of finalising the conditions, requirements and procedure needed before gazetting the amendment to the definition of ‘native’.

In stating this, Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk John Sikie Tayai clarified that the amendment can be gazetted once the conditions and requirements are finalised.

“Such conditions, requirements and procedures are expected to be tabled to Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri (MMKN) soonest,” he said.

He said this in his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Tuesday (Nov 29).

For the record, the Interpretation (Amendment) Bill 2022 was unanimously passed at the DUN last February which provides native status to children of mixed-marriage, of which one parent is a native.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, who tabled the Bill, said that the definition of native is clearly confined to indigenous or natives to Sarawak.

“So there is no issue of inclusion of Malays from West Malaysia or other places in the country. This is very clear in our definition.

“This amendment is necessary to give effect to the amendment to the Federal Constitution,” she said after the Bill was passed.

Currently, natives listed in the Schedule are Bagatan, Bakong, Bemali, Berawan, Bidayuh or Land Dayak (including Salako, Rara, Jagoi, Singai, Biatah and Bukar-Sadong), Bisaya, Buket or Ukit, Dali, Dusun, Iban or Sea Dayak, Jatti Miriek, Kajang (including Sekapan, Kejaman, Lahanan, Punan, Tanjong and Kanowit), Kayan, Kedayan, Kelabit, Kenyah (including Badeng, Sebop and Seping), Lakiput, Lisum, Logat, Malay, Melanau, Murut or Lun Bawang, Narom, Penan, Sa’ban, Sihan, Tabun, Tagal, Tatau, Tring and Vaie.