Chong chided for saying S’wak has nothing to lose by supporting amendment Bill

KUCHING: Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has suggested for Pakatan Harapan ( PH) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen to go back and reread the Amendment Bill to Article 1( 2) of the Federal Constitution before making any claim about Sarawak having nothing to lose by supporting the Bill.

He pointed out that Chong, as a lawyer, should look back at the Bill to see what is being amended.

“He should be able to digest and understand the wording used for the proposed amendment to Article 1( 2) of the Federal Constitution, which did not change the status of Sabah and Sarawak which was in the original Federal Constitution before it was amended in 1976,” he told reporters at a press conference yesterday.

He was asked to comment on Chong’s statement on Sunday, where the Deputy Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister had questioned what Sarawak had got to lose by supporting the amendment Bill.

In response, Abdul Karim said though this was Chong’s opinion, it appeared that the Stampin MP was no longer the elected representative he knew.

“The YB Chong I know is a fighter (for Sarawak) but it looks like he is no longer a fighter.”

As a lawyer, Abdul Karim advised Chong to read back on his constitutional law if he did not know much about the Federal Constitution.

“It maybe because he studied in Australia and the scenario was different. Malaysia has the Federal Constitution which Australia does not have as they follow the United Kingdom system. They don’t have a book called Federal Constitution.”

Asked to give his opinion on why the Pakatan Harapan ( PH) government seems to be rushing the tabling of the amendment Bill, Abdul Karim said only they would know the reason why.

“But if they want to do an amendment to a law which involves the rights of Sabah and Sarawak, it must be referred to these two states. There must be blessing and endorsement.

“Don’t bulldoze because you don’t do it unilaterally. That’s how I see it as a lawyer.”