See: Devolution must be on the basis of legitimacy
Though the people have faith in the Sarawak Government to carry out the mandate as stipulated in the Motion on the Malaysia Agreement 1963, they are very skeptical of the commitment of Putrajaya.
KUCHING: A Sarawak opposition leader has cautioned Putrajaya that its expressed intention to devolve powers to Sabah and Sarawak must be based on legitimacy. “It’s wrong and even mischievous for the present process of devolution of Federal power and returning autonomous power to Sabah and Sarawak is shrouded in secrecy,” warned PKR Sarawak Vice-Chairman See Chee How in a statement.
“This is not 1962,” he added. “We are not mere subjects of colonial powers. All Sabahans and Sarawakians are able to and must be given the rights to decide on the matters that involve them and their states’ future generations.”
He noted that his homeland had come to a crucial historical watershed. “It’s time for the rebirth of Sarawak. Our people today are knowledgeable and capable to contribute positively and to help make decisions for this rebirth and the future well-being of Sarawak.”
Though the people have faith in the Sarawak Government to carry out the mandate as stipulated in the Motion on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), unanimously passed by the Sarawak Assembly on 8 December 2015, See said that he was very skeptical of the commitment of Putrajaya. “The Motion is to ensure the complete implementation of all the recommendations in the IGC Report, for the advancement and to safeguard the special interests of the State and the people of Sarawak.”
See, a senior lawyer in private practice and Batu Lintang Assemblyman, was commenting on a statement by de facto Law Minister Nancy Shukri that the procedure and process of the devolution of power must be constitutionally correct. “As a Minister in the Federal Cabinet, Nancy should immediately take the necessary steps for Parliament to be notified and to approve the legal and enabling provisions to devolve powers to Sabah and Sarawak.”
“This must be in accordance with the recommendations of the Cobbold Commission Report and the Inter-Governmental Committee Report and the safeguards pursuant to the Malaysia Agreement 1963.”
At the same time, he said, the committee comprising senior officers from the Federal, Sabah and Sarawak Governments must initiate and conduct extensive statewide Town Hall Meetings to ensure the participation of all.”
He urged the Sabah and Sarawak Governments and the Government of Malaysia to immediately make public the list of matters on which the powers will be devolved from the Federal Government to the Governments in the two Borneo states. “We want the details and scope of the autonomous powers.”
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“The people, through the Town Hall meetings, have the right to go through these areas, ask questions and present their views. They must have the necessary crucial information.”