KUCHING: State Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Chong Chieng Jen stressed that the third generation of Chinese, Indians or any race in Sarawak should be regarded as native of the state.
With this, he said that he had proposed an amendment to Interpretation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, which is going to be tabled by the Assistant Minister in The Chief Minister’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali tomorrow (Feb 15).
“My amendment that I proposed to the Interpretation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 is that Clause 2 of the Bill be amended by inserting immediately after the word ‘Vaie’ in a new line, the words Chinese, Indian, or any race not stated herein and the person of which race is born in Sarawak and whose natural parents or either one of the natural parents in also born in Sarawak,” he said.
The Padungan assemblyman said this in a press conference after attending the first day of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting today.
According to the proposed amendment Bill, a total of 31 races were proposed to be considered as to be indigenous to Sarawak in the Interpretation Ordinance.
The proposed races 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.
“Basically, my proposed amendment is in line with the principle of inclusivity for all to be considered native Sarawakians.
“For third generation, it means that, Chinese Indian or other races, by the time you reach third generation, you are as much as native as any Sarawakians and therefore, there should not be any discrimination, any distinction between us one another,” he said.
Therefore, the details of the argument, he said he will forward in the debate tomorrow (Feb 15).
Chong added that the Standing Order under which he proposed for the amendment to the Bill is Order 50 (4) and Order 54.
