PBDSB wants to monitor Abang Jo’s efforts in restoring Sarawak’s rights
KUCHING: Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru ( PBDSB) says it will monitor the Chief Minister’s Office on its assurance in getting back from federal government, the state’s autonomous rights.
The party acknowledged the confidence of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg that Sarawak shall regain its rights as spelt out in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63).
“Ever since the federal government has lifted three existing emergency proclamations, rendering the Emergency Public Order and Prevention of Crime Ordinance 1969 ( EO) void on Nov 24, 2011, in accordance with the Clause (7) under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution, the EO would lapse in six months after the date of the proclamations is lifted,” the party said through a press statement signed by its president Cobbold John.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had tabled motions to revoke the emergency laws in Nov 2011. The three proclamations are the 1966 Emergency Proclamation issued in Sarawak for the state to resolve its political disputes; the 1969 Emergency Proclamation issued following the May 13 racial riots; and the 1977 Emergency Proclamation issued in Kelantan on Nov 8, 1977 to resolve the state’s political disputes.
“Based on the above, empowerment gave the federal government the power to make laws without passing them through Parliament, under Article 150 of the Federal Constitution.
“However, after Najib had the proclamations lifted, the government no longer has the power to make laws under Article 150. Najib has also stated that the government is always ready to make changes in the law in accordance with current needs.”
PBDSB claimed Clause ( 7) under Article 150 which states that at the expiration of six months from the date the Proclamation of Emergency ceases to be in force, any ordinance promulgated in pursuance of the Proclamation and, to the extent that it could not have been validly made but for this Article any law made while the Proclamation is in force, shall cease to have effect, except as to things done or omitted to be done before the expiration of that period.
“It clearly shows that what has been initiated by former chief minister Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, and now being carried out by the current chief minister, is legitimacy of the facts, that there is no obstacle in the way of Sarawak autonomous rights to be returned, as how it was initially stipulated legally in Malaysia Agreement 1963,” it said.
PBDSB therefore wants the chief minister to honour his promises, as based on current circumstances, there is no further excuses anymore to prolong the matter, since the prime minister has agreed that whatever rights taken from Sarawak, shall be returned to state.
Henceforth, since many amendments have been made during the period of proclamation under Article 150, the party wanted the state government and its assemblymen to review all the previous amended Acts in the Federal Constitution which do not adhere to Sarawak Constitution stipulated in MA63, by making the necessary amendments.
“As a local Sarawak political party, PBDSB does not oppose for the sake of opposing, but only opposes to what is not right, especially when it comes to Sarawakians’ rights as a whole. As such, we shall continue to monitor and voice out where necessary, the Sarawakians’ rights, especially when promises for such rights were made openly by the chief minister.”