The local social media fraternity was a buzz with comments and so called debate on the awarding of Bumiputera status which was brought up by a Member of Parliament (MP) from Sarawak itself which I had rebutted simply because there is no need to unnecessarily prolong the issue.
Such matter cannot be determined through public pressure or casual suggestions and any move to alter the definition of Bumiputera or native status in Sarawak must follow proper legal and constitutional process when there are clear provisions are already in place.
If you want to change these things, there are procedures. I know some people are saying third generation and all that, but we need to see what defines Bumiputera under the Federal Constitution. Sometimes I feel these kinds of proposals are just rhetoric. Maybe elections are coming, so perhaps representatives want to make such suggestions because their constituencies have more Bumiputera voters.
I have stressed to our media friends that while suggestions can be made, the current framework already provides broad recognition of native status, particularly in cases of mixed marriages. The Sarawak Constitution had also outlined on who qualifies as natives of Sabah and Sarawak.. Where one spouse is a native of Sabah or Sarawak, their child is eligible to acquire native status and related rights, including land ownership. Many may not realise and that already is very good enough.
My remarks were in response to Julau's MP, Datuk Larry Sng who had suggested for our Sarawak government consider granting Bumiputera status to third-generation Sarawakians of Chinese descent.The proposal recently sparked debate over the social media platform after Sng argued that families who have lived in Sarawak for generations be recognised for their long-standing contributions to the state. The MP had also cited the Interpretation (Amendment) Ordinance 2022, which allows children of mixed marriages to claim native status if one parent is native.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment