KUCHING: Sarawak has made it clear that it will not compromise on its autonomy over immigration, land, and sea rights, which are protected by the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Politicians from the other states including ministers and deputy ministers need to be reminded that Sarawak has the absolute power to ban the entry from any outsider, even without the need to give any reason.
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) political scientist Prof Datuk Dr Jayum Jawan said this was to protect the peace and harmony of Sarawak as well as the interest of the people.
He also said that federal ministers should not misuse their official positions to push for personal interests or party agendas. “As a minister or federal minister, a person should be more sensitive about Sarawak’s autonomy over immigration powers. They should be good role models too.”
The state government has been advising those from West Malaysia who wish to enter the state for official visits or purposes to inform the state authorities. “This is a sign of respect for the Sarawak government as well as the state’s special rights under the MA63,” said Jayum.
Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Office Datuk Abdullah Saidol recently raised concerns about some members of the Federal Cabinet who did not inform their counterparts in the Sarawak Cabinet of their arrival in Sarawak and did not inform local representatives of their visits to certain areas. “Their visits to some areas also did not inform the local representatives, thus, I hope that this could be avoided, as it is against the spirit of the unity government at the federal level,” he said.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg also highlighted the issue during a courtesy call from Community Communications Department (J-KOM) director-general in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Mohammad Agus Yusoff on Wednesday (March 29).
Abdullah also mentioned that the state government will not hesitate to use its immigration powers to ban anyone with extreme political ideologies from entering the state. “The actions of some political party leaders from the Peninsula who ‘secretly’ hold community programmes without the involvement of local representatives have raised suspicions. This is not in line with the characteristics or understanding in the formation of a unity government,” he said.
Jayum, who is also Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) Fellow, noted that Sarawak leaders have reminded some deputy ministers from opposition parties in Sarawak that official visits to Sarawak need to be referred to the state government and the relevant ministry. “Otherwise, it would not be a surprise that some of the ministers or party leaders from outside Sarawak would be restricted from entering the state,” he said. “This is protocol but if they (federal ministers) are from GPS, (of course) this issue does not even arise.”
He stressed that Sarawak has the power to ban anyone without stating any reason as it is their autonomy. “One must also remember that the Sarawak government has the power to do so, even without stating any reason. That’s their autonomy,” he said.
