Committee to assess amending ordinance on Bumiputera status

MIRI: A special cabinet committee overseeing the upgrading of the Native Court in Sarawak is looking at amending the Interpretation Ordinance 2005 with regards to Bumiputera status.

Committee member Datuk Gerawat Gala, who is State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Deputy Speaker, explained that under the Ordinance and Federal Constitution a person is only deemed ‘native’ if both parents are from one of the races listed as indigenous to Sarawak.

“There are requests, however, for offspring of parents where only one of them is native, also to be considered as a Bumiputera.

“This is one of the things that are being considered, whether it should be done,” Gerawat revealed when closing the Sarawak Berawan Association triennial general meeting on Monday.

He also pointed out that at present the Berawan community is not included in the list of Sarawak Bumiputeras, especially among federal authorities and departments.

“This not only touches the Berawans, but also some other races such as the Lakiput, Saban, or Jati Meirek in Miri. They have expressed their hope that the name of their races be included in the Interpretation Ordinance,” he said.

Gerawat said such matters should be brought to the DUN.

“The list of races classified as natives of Sarawak is enshrined in the Interpretation Ordinance, and this law should be amended by the State Legislative Assembly for the races to be included.

“This is in consideration, but how will these races be included later, perhaps through amendments to the Interpretation Ordinance or otherwise, is already in the process to be worked on,” he added.

Gerawat also announced an RM25,000 grant for the association’s activities.