KUCHING: The appointment of village community management council (MPKK) by the federal government violates the Community Chiefs and Headmen Ordinance, 2004.
Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) chairman Datuk John Lau in expressing concern over the federal government’s insistence on forming MPKK, remarked that perhaps they were unaware of the state’s law.
“Article (3) of the Ordinance says, ‘The Yang di-Pertua Negeri shall, by notification in the Gazette, designate any person to be the appointing authority for a Chief or Headman in respect of the whole State or any administrative area or for any particular community in Sarawak’,” said Lau in a statement yesterday.
He pointed out that Sarawak has the village security and development committee (JKKK) appointed by the state government in accordance with the Ordinance.
SPA also questions if the appointment of MPKK in Sarawak is in line with the federal Constitution, particularly Article 95D, which excludes Sarawak and Sabah from national plans for land utilisation, local government, development, and others.
Lau voiced SPA’s concern that if MPKK is appointed by the federal government, disharmony within the community could arise when members of MPKK have conflicts with JKKK.
“When this happens, it will be of great disadvantage to Sarawak and its development. People may suffer,” the SPA chairman warned.
He remarked that Sarawak has treasured unity and harmony for the past 56 years.
“In the Malaysia Agreement 1963, it was stated that any law passed affecting Sarawak without the Sarawak government’s consent and approval is not enforceable in Sarawak,” he emphasised.
SPA also strongly supported Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s recent statement of ‘why should we agree if you touch our rights?’
Abang Johari was commenting on Works Minister Baru Bian’s statement that MPKK shall proceed despite protests from the Sarawak government.
“SPA members are calling upon the people of Sarawak to stand behind the chief minister against the infringement of Sarawak’s rights,” Lau added.
