KUCHING: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen has submitted notices to table two motions on a citizen -initiated Referenda Ordinance for Sarawak and for the devolution of autonomous power to Sarawak at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting on Aug 17.
Chong, who is the state DAP chairman, said the grounds of moving the Referenda Ordinance for Sarawak were that many major policies adversely affecting the interest of Sarawakians in general had repeatedly been made by the government without reference to the wishes of the people.
Besides that, he said there was now an awakening of sorts amongst the people of Sarawak for more consultation and participation in the implementation of government policies of wide-ranging impact and implication.
“There is a strong demand by Sarawakians for a citizen-initiated Referenda Ordinance whereby the people will have a direct say in the introduction of any important policy by the government.
“The Referenda Ordinance is also in line with the fundamental principles of democracy that the people should have a say in government policies and will promote the engagement of the people in decision-making process of the government,” Chong told a press conference here yesterday.
Chong, who is also Bandar Kuching MP, explained that unlike referendum which would enable electorates to hold a single referendum, referenda would enable electorates to hold referendum on various issues.
Noting that referenda could either be government-initiated or citizen-initiated, he said the DAP was pushing for a citizen-initiated Referenda Ordinance rather than a government-initiated referendum as a government-initiated referendum would defeat the whole purpose of checking on government policies.
“There is no Referendum Act at the federal level and in Sarawak, we also don’t have the Referenda Ordinance. In fact, there was never any referendum held in Sarawak. Even during the formation of Malaysia, there was only a public enquiry where certain groups made their representations.”
He said the purpose of a referendum depended on how the provisions of the Referenda Ordinance were worded, adding that if it were citizen-initiated, there should be specific issues for a referendum to be held.
Citing Switzerland as an example, he said the country conducted about 10 referenda a year on various issues. He said a referendum could be held even on issues such as a plan by the government to increase assessment rates.
“I welcome the government if it adopts or amends or hijacks (this motion). It doesn’t matter. Just don’t throw it out. Referendum doesn’t mean anything seditious. It all depends on what sort of referendum you’re asking.”
On motion for the devolution of autonomous power to Sarawak, Chong said it was the desire of the majority of Sarawakians that Sarawak should have autonomy in education, health care, internal security and taxation matters.
“Therefore, it is moved that this house hereby resolves that the state government of Sarawak do forthwith set up a committee to study and review the terms of the Malaysia Agreement and the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution with a view to engage with the federal government to renegotiate the terms thereof for the devolution of autonomous power in four areas, namely education, health care, internal security and taxation to the state government of Sarawak.”-Borneo Post
Post a Comment