In a Facebook post, Sng said Sarawak is a “rich state”. According to the statistics department, Sarawak ranks third in total GDP contribution, behind Selangor (first) and Kuala Lumpur (second).

Sarawak also has a relatively small population, with around 6.7% of Malaysia’s total, Sng said, while its land mass is similar to Peninsular Malaysia, minus Selangor.

Sng said Chinese families in Sarawak only have one or, at most, two children, which should not worry other communities, especially since he suggested granting Bumiputera status to third-generation Chinese and above.

“The bottom line is that Sarawak can afford to accord Bumiputera status to all communities in the state.

“The decision lies with the Sarawak premier and his Cabinet. I hope they will consider this matter.”

Sng went on to say that if the state government truly believes in “Sarawak First” or “Sarawak for Sarawakians” and that Sarawak is a region and not merely a state in Malaysia, “we should have the political will that reflects the need to adapt with the times”.

In March last year, Sng had proposed that Sarawakian Chinese be granted Bumiputera status on grounds that the ancestors of many from the community had come to Sarawak about 150 years ago, and they and their families had stayed on.

Last week, a Sarawak deputy minister said the state’s council for native customs and traditions would decide on the proposal.

Snowdan Lawan said the matter involved “constitutional considerations” and that any decision would rest with the council.