BETONG: The gazetting of the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2022 [Act A1642] especially involving clauses (6) and (7) of Article 161A of the Federal Constitution is very important so that Sarawak ethnic groups will no longer be referred to as ‘others’.
Betong MP Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat described the amendment to the term ‘indigenous’ under Article 161A as crucial as the current definition did not accurately reflect the racial diversity in the state’s population.
“The amendment of the term in the Constitution is indeed necessary so that the Sarawak ethnic groups are no longer referred to as ‘others’ and should be described by race. With the amendment coming into force and the classification of indigenous people handed over to the state, the state government can list who is eligible to be called indigenous in Sarawak.
“This is a significant recognition to the races in Sarawak because until now they are considered as ‘others’. It is actually very difficult to categorise someone with the term ‘lain-lain’ or ‘others’ in our country because there is usually category for race in official documents.
“So, stating the race clearly will make the people of Sarawak feel more respected,” he said.
He was asked on the significance of the gazetting of the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2022 [Act A1642] after obtaining the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah effective on Feb 11.
Lawson said that the amendment to Article 1 (2) of the Federal Constitution would not carry significant meaning without the amendment to article 160 (2) on the interpretation of The Federation.
“The amendment to the definition of ‘The Federation’ will not carry the full and comprehensive meaning of the Amendment to Article 1 (2) of the Federal Constitution, as previously proposed by the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Government in 2019.
“I am confident that this achievement is a historic and long awaited move by all Sarawakians.
“Sabah and Sarawak are now officially recognised as equal partners of Peninsular Malaysia with the enactment of amendments to clause (2) of Article 1 and clauses (2), 160 (2) and 161A (6) and (7) of the Federal Constitution.
“We are very appreciative to all the MPs who put aside differences across political ideologies, with 100 per cent votes after two division votes were conducted. This is an important moment in the history of the country especially when it was approved unanimously by Parliament,” he said.
Lawson pointed out that it proved MPs had understood the wishes of the people of Sabah and Sarawak in demanding the rights enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“The evaluation of this amendment to the Constitution has been done in the spirit of friendship, mutual respect and a high degree of tolerance between us.
“With the foundations of MA63 implemented, it will pave the way for rehabilitation or proposed amendments to be made at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) to restore the rights of Sarawak that were eroded 58 years ago,” he said.
