SARAWAK LIVE: MA63

About time we take back what belongs rightfully to us!

OPINION: Luyang assemblyman Hiew King Cheu appears to be in a minority of one in urging the Sabah government to press Putrajaya to devolve powers to it as was being done in Sarawak in three specific phases viz. administrative empowerment, encroachment of the Federal Government on state rights and oil and gas royalty.

Interestingly, both Petronas and the federal government have since publicly rejected the Sarawak government’s demand for 20 percent royalty, up from the current measly 5 percent, and have offered nothing in return except for local contracts and more money for corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities.

CSR so far has meant Petronas handing out, after 50 odd years, free scientific calculators to Form 4 students in Sabah and Sarawak. In the meantime, the bottom has dropped out of the crude oil market with prices plunging from over US$100 per barrel to US$30 per barrel.

Full autonomy for Borneo states

Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem may appear to be going along with the first phase, in view of the imminent state election, but he did in the early stages declare that what the state wanted was to return to its position in 1963 as per the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) i.e. full autonomy with the federal government being confined in Borneo to defence, internal security and foreign affairs.

Prime Minister Najib Razak has been silent on this demand and instead conceded the need to grant more powers to Sabah and Sarawak.

“What they can do, let them do,” he said in Miri not so long ago. “There’s a lot of duplication and wastage with the federal and Sabah and Sarawak governments doing the same thing.”

He envisages either handing over control of some, if not all, federal governments departments in Borneo to locals or to the respective state governments.

Sabah's silence on devolution

While some view Najib’s offer as something, better than none, after over 50 years of the federation with the peninsula, MA63 is a political hot potato in Sabah and may explain why the state government has been virtually silent so far on what Najib calls devolution of powers.

Activists in Sabah were the first to raise the issue of MA63 where they allege the federal government has been in non-compliance and/or violation.

Sarawak remained silent for many years while the Sabah activists pressed the case for both states in local and international forums. Eventually, the activists in Sarawak emerged in the last two years or so and appear on paper to have stolen the march on their Sabah counterparts.

The status of MA63

The issue in Sabah and Sarawak is that MA63 is not only an International Trust Treaty but also a Trust Deed lodged with the UN.

Hence, the activists see no need to ask Putrajaya for anything or negotiate for their rights.

The consensus is that both the Sabah and Sarawak State Assemblies have the power to pass a motion on MA63 to allow the Sabah and Sarawak governments to invoke it as both an International Trust Treaty and Trust Deed.

That means, according to this school of thought, that it would suffice for the respective state secretaries to inform the chief secretary to the federal government, also the cabinet secretary, of the motions passed by the Sabah and Sarawak Assemblies. In fact, the Sarawak Assembly has since passed a motion on MA63 and another on oil and gas resources.

Patently, the federal government gepartments in Borneo must be removed except in defence, internal security and foreign affairs. If this can be achieved under the administrative empowerment that has been promised Sarawak at least, that would be a small step in the right direction.

The question than arises, as pointed out by Hiew, on why Sabah has been left out so far from the devolution process begun in Sarawak.

The Sarawak-Putrajaya talks on devolution would have to deal with Article 1 of the Federal Constitution which sees Sabah and Sarawak as the 12th and 13th states in the federation.

The meaning of federation

Another major issue is the Definition of Federation in the Federal Constitution under Article 160. Federation, the Article states, means that set up by the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1948 and reinforced by the Federation of Malaya Independence Act 1957.

That implies that Sabah and Sarawak are states in the Malayan Federation, now known as Malaysia but not the Malaysia in MA63. This is a position that the Borneo nations never bargained for.

Last but not least was whether the Petroleum Development Act, enforced under emergency laws which have since been repealed, was any longer applicable in Sabah and Sarawak along with the so-called oil agreements.

Revisiting devolution

It’s to time to revisit, devolution notwithstanding, the Intention of the founding fathers in Borneo on the relationship with the peninsula and the intention of the framers of MA63.

That would be the way forward.

Devolution, no matter how welcome, puts the cart before the horse. It should be first things first which is why perhaps that there has been silence so far in Sabah on Hiew’s demand.

* This article first appeared in asklegal.my on Feb 11.

-THE ANT DAILY

‘Big mandate for Adenan will boost talk with Putrajaya’

SIBU: A big mandate for Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem will give him an added boost in his negotiations with Putrajaya, says Assistant Minister of Social Development Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said this in reaction to Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen’s recent statement that the state BN was presently strong enough to get Putrajaya to accept its demands for autonomy and hence, there was no reason for Adenan to keep calling for a big win in the coming state election for him to talk to Putrajaya.

“I am amused with YB Chong’s latest remark that there is no reason for Adenan to ask for a big mandate in the forthcoming state election for him to talk to Putrajaya.

Probably YB Chong is getting jittery with the popularity of Adenan to the extent that he comes up with the contention that it is not necessary for a big mandate for Adenan since BN is the government at both federal and state levels.”

Abdul Karim, who is Asajaya assemblyman, suggested that with a big mandate, Adenan could sit on the negotiating table with Putrajaya, knowing fully-well that the people of Sarawak were all behind him in his struggle and not just a portion of them.

“Chong is trying to frustrate this talk and negotiations with Putrajaya and I do not blame him. Chong heads the Sarawak branch of a Peninsular Malaysian-based party in DAP and they do not have any love for the state,” Abdul Karim, who is a a PBB supreme council member said.

“Chong has been running down our CM in whatever good deeds and actions he does and especially in his (Adenan’s) negotiations with Putrajaya.

“His sincerity is questioned. When Adenan managed to successfully negotiate for the first stage of devolution of powers which saw 13 administrative actions being agreed, Chong was among the first person to run it down.”

Adenan is now moving into the second stage of negotiations which relate to state rights, infringement of Federal Legislation on state rights and on constitutional matters.

“And we are happy to see that the prime minister has reciprocated positively during his recent visit to Bintulu with an assurance that ‘Sarawak claims to rights agreed upon under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 would be given back…subject to negotiations and discussion with the state BN headed by Adenan’.”

“I am pretty sure Putrajaya’s doors would be slammed shut if DAP or YB Chong were to request for it.

“I believe we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel in our negotiations for the return of the state’s rights,” Abdul Karim said. -Borneo Post

SUPP more interested in state’s rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963

MIRI: SUPP secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting thanks Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem for his recent announcement on securing an administrative empowerment from the federal government, saying that the empowerment helps to encourage more Sarawakians to be involved in managing federal civil service in the state.

“Nevertheless, SUPP’s interest lies more with the state rights (Phase 2) under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and Phase 3 which touches on Financial Management and Entitlements.

“It has come to SUPP’s attention that the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) which will be debated in Parliament very soon actually has some impact on Sarawak’s oil and gas ownership,” Ting said in a press release received here yesterday.

He said based on the TPPA document provided by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) the Annex IV Malaysia’ (page 5), stated that Petroleum Development Act 1974 (PDA 74) had vested Petronas with the entire ownership in, and the exclusive rights, exploring, exploiting, winning and obtaining of petroleum and hydrocarbon resources, whether onshore or offshore Malaysia.

“SUPP strongly disagrees because after the lifting of the Proclamation of Emergency on 24 November 2011 under Article 150 (7) of the Federal Constitution, the ownership of our territorial waters returns back to Sarawak.

“Our territorial waters are further protected under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report.

“Furthermore, SUPP does not agree that Petronas is the sole entity that may award petroleum exploration, development and production contracts to other companies in our territorial waters because this authorisation power should now belong to the state government of Sarawak.”

Ting insisted that Sarawak, as the owner should have the right to engage in exploration, development and production of petroleum and hydrocarbon resources via the state issuing licensing and permits.

“Although this has yet to be given official acknowledgment by the federal government, we are keeping our hope for the green light,” he said.

As the TPPA is to be an international treaty with several other countries involved, Ting said it was deemed pertinent that the state government highlight this potential breach of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the IGC report before it became a fait accompli by the fact that the parliamentarians vote for the TPPA to be enforced.

“We should not forget that our State Legislative Assembly (DUN) has given the mandate to the Sarawak government on December 8, 2015 to reconcile all federal laws to tie in with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and IGC report.

“It will be a great embarrassment to those concerned when, in the reconciliation process, establish that the Petroleum Development Act 1974 is no longer applicable to Sarawak because the federal government no longer owns that Sarawak Territorial Waters.

“The clause on PDA 74 was inserted into the TPPA with the assumption that the federal government is still the owner of the territorial waters and the resources therein.”.-Borneo Post

Tun Mahathir perlu dipersalahkan, bukannya Najib, kata PKR Sarawak

Ia bermula daripada Perdana Menteri terdahulu dan semakin teruk setiap kali Perdana Menteri baharu ambil alih pentadbiran negara.

PETALING JAYA: Bekas Perdana Menteri, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad diselar kerana mendakwa hubungan Sarawak dan Semenanjung renggang disebabkan Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Pengerusi PKR Sarawak, Baru Bian, berkata Perdana Menteri tidak wajar dipersalahkan kerana Dr Mahathir sendiri adalah punca hubungan yang renggang itu .

“Najib tidak seharusnya dipersalahkan. Ia bermula daripada bekas Perdana Menteri sendiri termasuk Dr Mahathir. Keadaan ini semakin teruk apabila setiap Perdana Menteri mengambil alih kuasa.

“Setiap Perdana Menteri lupa mengenai Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 yang melingkungi 18 perkara di Sarawak,” katanya ketika dihubungi FMT di sini, hari ini.

Ahli Perhimpunan Negeri Sarawak Ba’kelalan itu menyatakan sejak perjanjian itu, Sarawak seolah-olah dianaktirikan ekoran sering dilupakan dalam projek pembangunan negara.

Sebelum ini, Dr Mahathir dalam temubual eksklusif bersama FMT menyatakan Kerajaan Persekutuan pimpinan Najib harus dipersalahkan ekoran kerenggangan Sarawak dan Semenanjung.

“Saya tidak tahu bagaimana pendapat orang Sarawak. Tetapi kita nampak semakin renggang dan masing-masing bercakap mengenai Sarawak.

“Seolah-olah Sarawak ini tiada dalam Malaysia kerana lebih kepada Sarawak,” ujarnya.-Free Malaysia Today

400 penduduk asal Sarawak tiada kewarganegaraan

JPN, KDN diminta siasat mengapa masih ramai penduduk luar bandar guna kad pengenalan sementara

KUCHING: Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) dan Kementerian Dalam Negeri (KDN) diminta menyiasat mengapa masih ramai penduduk asal Sarawak di kawasan luar bandar masih menggunakan kad pengenalan sementara.

Pemimpin Gerakan Sarawak for Sarawakian (S4S) Peter John Jaban mendedahkan perkara tersebut kepada media ekoran penemuan para sukarelawan S4S sewaktu menjalankan kempen mengumpul tandatangan rakyat negeri ini kawasan Baram, Bintulu dan Kapit.

“Jumlahnya agak banyak, sebenarnya lebih kurang 400 orang dan mereka ini adalah rakyat asal negeri ini.

“Kami tidak terima tandatangan mereka jika mereka adalah pemegang kad pengenalan sementara.

“Tarikh tamat setiap pemegang kad pengenalan sementara ini adalah lima tahun dan masih banyak lagi di kawasan Bintulu dan Kapit.

“Mereka tinggal di kawasan pedalaman dan jauh daripada kemudahan, apa yang mereka beritahu kami…ya mereka orang asal tetapi banyak prosedur dan polisi yang perlu diikuti,” katanya pada sidang media di sini, semalam.

Justeru Peter menggesa pihak berwajib bertindak menyelesaikan perkara itu secepat mungkin melalui ketua kampung atau penghulu dengan tidak mengenakan polisi dan prosedur yang ketat bagi mendapatkan kad pengenalan.

Sementara itu S4S telah berjaya mencapai sasaran 10 peratus tandatangan terkumpul daripada 2.6 juta populasi negeri ini bagi kempennya yang berakhir 31 Disember 2015.

Peter berkata dalam Artikel VIII Penjanjian Malaysia 1963 terkandung autonomi dan kedudukan Sarawak semasa menyertai penubuhan negara Malaysia.

“Enakmen Ordinan Referendum itu juga melindungi hak negeri dan sebanyak 300 buku tandatangan rakyat akan kami serahkan selewat-lewatnya dalam tempoh tiga minggu lagi kepada Ketua Menteri sebelum bermulanya Pilihan Raya Negeri (PRN) akan datang.

“Salinannya juga akan kami serahkan kepada pihak United Nation (UN) tetapi kami perlukan masa untuk memeriksa semula nama-nama berkenaan,” katanya.

Beliau turut menambah bahawa S4S tidak mempunyai kaitan dengan mana-mana parti politik namun meminta agar Ketua Menteri memperjuangkan hak serta kehendak rakyat untuk disuarakan di peringkat persekutuan.

Katanya pemimpin BN tidak harus memandang remeh perkara tersebut kerana walaupun Barisan Nasional (BN) akan menang pada PRN akan datang namun kemenangan itu adalah dengan majoriti undian yang tipis, tegasnya.

Beliau ketika ditanya sekiranya akan menyertai politik menjawab bahawa dirinya gembira dengan kedudukan sekarang dan mahu terus berkhidmat membantu rakyat tanpa menjadi seorang ahli Yang Berhormat (YB).

“Dari mula lagi saya memang tidak mahu dan saya gembira dengan kedudukan sekarang kerana saya telah berjanji dengan diri sendiri, saya boleh bercakap untuk rakyat untuk membantu mereka tanpa menjadi seorang YB,” ujarnya.

Turut hadir bersama beliau adalah penyokong S4S KC Tan dan Robert Liew. -Utusan Borneo.

S4S collects 300,000 signatures seeking Sarawak’s autonomy

KUCHING: Sarawak For Sarawakians (S4S) has achieved its target of collecting signatures from 10 per cent of the state’s population of 2.6 million by Dec 31, 2015.

The signature campaign is to seek Sarawak’s autonomy as promised in the Malaysia Agreement.

Its spokesperson Peter John Jaban said that they had collected 300,000 signatures to date.

He said the 300 books containing the signatures would be sent to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem before the next state election.

Speaking at a press conference at a hotel here yesterday, he said this was a clear message to both the federal and state governments that Sarawakians wanted to stand up for their rights and would not settle for anything less.

He acknowledged that the Chief Minister had talked a lot about autonomy and oil royalty to the federal government.

“This is a good beginning but he must now show signs that he plans to see it through to the end. He (Adenan) must take his talk to the federal government and show Sarawakians some real progress,” he said.

He thanked the volunteers of S4S throughout the state for getting the signatures.

At the same time, he declared that he would not stand in the next election or in the future.

“I am committed to the S4S movement and to ensure that it meets its objectives and that we will have our autonomy and sovereignty,” he asserted.

He reminded that S4S is a ‘People’s Movement’ to voice the rights of Sarawakians and is not a platform for anyone to pursue their political agenda.

Also present at the press conference were S4S supporters Robert Liew and KC Tan. - Borneo Post

Jeffrey: Borneo states may turn against Najib if ignored

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah opposition strongman and Bingkor Assemblyman Jeffrey Kitingan’s main New Year wish is to see Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak implement electoral reforms before the forthcoming Sarawak state elections are held. “Addressing Bersih 4’s demands for clean, free and fair elections in implementing electoral reforms should be among Najib’s New Year resolutions to restore confidence in the country.”

“Najib also needs to address the unhappiness in Sabah and Sarawak with Putrajaya over Malaya degenerating into Greater Malaya in Borneo in violation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.”

The elections are scheduled by mid-2016 but may be held earlier. Jeffrey’s wish for electoral reforms may be a tall order for Najib given that the Sarawak state election is just around the corner.

The latest speculation is that the Sarawak Assembly would be dissolved on February 25, candidates named on March 6, postal voting to take place on March 16 and the state election taking place on March 19.

Jeffrey, in referring to the fact that Najib has been accused of covering up wrongdoing, sweeping them under the carpet and going after the authorities concerned and others who got too close to him in their investigations, urged the Prime Minister not to take things for granted. “His credibility has eroded badly, there’s no confidence in his leadership, and things are beginning to slide badly.”

“He should take the New Year, 2016, as an opportunity to restore confidence, remove the fear factor, and resolve outstanding issues, especially in Sabah and Sarawak. Najib still has a narrow window of opportunity to do the right things and make a comeback. He could still go from zero to hero but that narrow window of opportunity is closing rapidly.”

Briefly, Jeffrey wants Umno to halt its politics of race and religion fueling its divide-and-rule tactics to cover up the plundering of the economy, defer the GST or at least reduce it to 2 per cent from the current 6 per cent, and exempt Sabah and Sarawak from the consumption tax. “Sabah is also entitled to 40 per cent net revenue entitlement under the Federal Constitution and other financial rights like 10 per cent export duty and 10 per cent import and excise duty on petroleum products.”

“The measly 5 per cent oil royalty should also be reconsidered in the wake of the emergency laws being done away with and the Petroleum Development Act and the oil agreement being considered redundant as a result.”

The Star Sabah Chief warned that if Najib didn’t move in the right direction, things could get a whole lot worse before they turn around for the better, if at all. “The ringgit is down, the rapid declines in commodity prices including crude oil have hit us very badly, and the Borneo states may yet turn against him in the near future if he continues to ignore their cries of unhappiness.”

“The Borneo states could shift and go in a new direction. That would be the end of Najib and Putrajaya.” - Free Malaysia Today

MKN: Tiada wakil Sabah, Sarawak; Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 bakal dicabuli?

Ahli Parlimen Stampin, Tan Kok Ping kesal tiada wakil dari Sabah dan Sarawak yang mengganggotai Majlis Keselamatan Dalam Negera (MKN) walaupun kuasanya melangkaui kedua-dua negeri itu.

“Jika Sarawak diisytihar sebagai kawasan keselamatan, siapa yang akan pertahankan kepentingan rakyat negeri ini jika kerajaan Persekutuan cuba mengunakan MKN untuk menindas mereka?” katanya.

Rang Undang-Undang (RUU) MKN diluluskan Dewan Negara kelmarin dan pelaksanaannya bakal menyaksikan pemberian kuasa yang luas kepada Perdana Menteri dalam mengisytihar kawasan keselamatan termasuk membuat tangkapan.

Ketiadaan wakil Sarawak dan Sabah dikhuatiri berlaku pencabulan Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 yang memberi kuasa automoni untuk mentadbir sedangkan kuasa MKN meliputi kedua-dua negeri itu.

Kok Ping menyifatkan kenyataan Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim yang mengatakan tiada keperluan wakil dari Sarawak dan Sabah, seolah-olah memperkecilkan kemampuan rakyat negeri itu.

Pada kenyataan media, beliau yang bimbang kedaulatan Sarawak terancam jika MKN disalah guna, kesal kerana Shahidan memberi alasan anggota MKN dilantik berdasarkan kemahiran dan bukannya perwakilan rakyat setempat.

“Ia penghinaan terhadap kemampuan rakyat Sarawak dan Sabah kerana menganggap mereka tidak mahir atau tidak sesuai untuk diterima dalam MKN,” katanya yang turut mengecam perbuatan 25 Ahli Parlimen Sarawak BN yang menyokong usul RUU itu.

“Ahli Parlimen BN Sarawak seolah-olah langsung tidak kisah atau ambil serius mengenai RUU itu. Mereka tidak berasa perlu untuk sekurang-kurangnya ada wakil dalam hal melibatkan kuasa Persekutuan,” katanya.

Apatah lagi, kata Kok Ping, kandungan RUU itu tidak menjelaskan setepatnya mengenai kawasan keselamatan sekaligus memudahkan penyalahgunaan kuasa apabila RUU itu benar-benar dilaksanakan.-Roketkini

The spirit of Sarawak should also be the spirit of Malaysia

COMMENTS by Theantdaily readers

Michael Chen: The state with no boundaries for anyone - the Spirit of Sarawak should also be the Spirit of Malaysia.

Dome Rari: Sarawak should lead Malaysia and show everyone how to live together

Victor Rajamony: It’s time we have to have a "Look Sarawak Policy" for peace and harmony.

Erik Cheah: This should be the way. The true way for Malaysia to be progressive.

Annie Chew: How great is this! Thanks for showing us The Way - God Bless You & Merry Christmas!

Alastair Michael Lee: The spirit of Christmas! Way to go Sarawak!

MusaNg: Edgar Ong, I cannot believe what I am seeing. I am blown away. In Semananjung, those officers will probably be reprimanded by IGP Khalid Abu Bakar, and possibly forced to undergo some counselling by Jakim for engaging in haram acts.

Billed gated: It was and still is a very usual and normal thing to do in the lovely land of Sarawak and Sabah. However, I also worry for these liberal Malay cops from Sarawak because there isn't a separate IGP in Sarawak, it is the same Khalid.

Woo Chee Seng: During Tunku's time during Christmas, RTM used to have Malay singers singing Christmas songs!

Sharmila Devi: That's how Malaysians should be...

Mei Leng Tan: Well done, keep up the good job. Big applause to all of you.

John Yap: There is still hope, I am so happy. That's the Malaysia I know.

Thiam Hock Kee: That's the true meaning of 1Malaysia.

Lee Chee Tian: Here in Malaya, some people might have heart attack!

Tony The: This can never happen in Peninsula Malaysia with Khalid as IGP.

Buing Sultan: During Chinese New Year celebrations, check out the compositions of the lion dance troupes. They comprise Chinese, Iban, Orang Ulu, Malays and Melanau boys. No big deal!

Ken Shellito: Come on Sabah we are the same as Sarawak, we all live in unity. Don’t let it change.

George Guansing: Very Happy, but I must say this can only happen in Sarawak. Not in Malaya and not in Sabah. Very sad, in Sabah this harmony and peace among races seem now only a dream and thanks to those who brought Umno into Sabah.

Billy Lee: I ate in a few coffeeshops and restaurants in Kuching last week. Everywhere I see Malay, Chinese, Iban, Bidayuh etc eating happily together. I'm so jealous of that. Why? Because the dirty, racist politics in West Malaysia has not engulf them yet.

Jase Loong: Go for independence Sarawak before Malaya screw you up!

Thomas Lee: Sarawak will be even better without joining Malaya

Woo Chee Khun: It is ok in Sarawak! Not in West Malaysia! He would be cursed, stepped on for changing his religion as if singing a Christain song will make him a Christian!

Soon Yew Liow: Jakim is not welcomed into East Malaysia.

Dato Thasleem Mohamed Ibrahim: BUMNO BARU destroyed and continues to destroy our unity and brotherhood. Peninsular BUMNO Malays should learn from Sabah and Sarawak people.

Munikrishnayya: Indonesians are more open-minded. All supermarkets have Christmas songs in Bahasa on their PA system.

Rhooger Toisim: It's ok to sing “White Christmas”. There are no religious words in it - same goes for the Selamat Hari Raya song.

Vincent Cheong Kam Weng: In the 70s, Malaysian Christians were given a beautiful rendition of “White Christmas” every Christmas Eve by none other than Zain Azman.

Petaling Hasher: True Malaysian spirit. Take the lead Sarawak

Ruchairacat Somponga: Only in Sarawak "Fair Land"

Bernard Hugh: Sure chaos if this happens in Malaya.

Vivek Anand: 20 years ago, my Muslim friends used to greet and visit me at home during Christmas but now it has changed. Most of my Muslim friends have isolated themselves from involving in such matters. It is a pity indeed!

Choon Fong Lee: Their faith is not ‘threatened’ as claimed by some quarters in Malaya.

Anwarul Adzizi Adeni: Singing secular Christmas song is not really a problem.

Jason Poh: Malayan Muslims are very narrow minded people. (Not all but most).

Albert Lye: In Johor, our Sultan has made it clear that everyone should be given the freedom to share the joy and celebration of each other's festivities so as to foster a closer relationship among the various races.

Chia Kee Same: Sarawakians, be proud that we're not tainted by Malaya! For together we're strong.

Cheah Kien Huat: In East Malaysia, that’s racial harmony! In West Malaysia, if this happens, it's a catastrophe!

Jackie Man: Singing Christmas song doesn't make you a Christian. Don't worry.

Chew Chee Kien: That’s the way to go..

Joe Tan: Over here, IGP's brother staged a public protest against a church cross and was let off.

Mac Lui Keng Nam: This is what and how a multi-racial society should practice – genuine religious tolerance and harmony.

Guna Rethinasamy: In your face, you racist bigots! This is what Malaysia is all about and I'm proud of you, Sarawakians. Merry Christmas indeed.

Kenneth V Wang: How about celebrating Christmas the secular way? Not everything must have to do with religion.

HL Tan: That's the way to go, Sarawakians. Don't follow those in Malaya.

Kong Tong Kiong: Our Sarawak way.

Tirunavokarasan Manickam: Sarawakian's true spirit of 1Malaysia!

Kenneth V Wang: The spirit of Borneo

Tan Kong Chuan: Voted Video clip for Vision 2020

Kelvin Francis: Proud to be Sarawakian.

Valerina Foo: It’s very common in East Malaysia.

Oh Malaysia: PDRM here is very different from that in Sarawak. Totally delightful to watch, now please send this directly to others as a form of education what all these means...blessings to one and all in this Christmas season of love.

Thien Voon Chong: We Sarawakians show our maturity in a truly beautiful multi-cultural Sarawak!

Resh: Salute to you guys. You are on the correct path of true religious teachings unlike some of our holy Malaya guys. Keep strong and don’t let others influence you all. That’s the way to go.

Chris: Totally proud being a son of Sarawak!

Logical: Good for Sarawak!

Chris A Fadzel: Always Sarawakian now and forever.

These comments are in response to the article This is Sarawak! Malay cops belt our ‘White Christmas’ published on Dec 13.-The Ant Daily

Rais Yatim, are you that ignorant of the Constitution?

COMMENT: For a veteran minister who had served numerous terms under a few prime ministers in various portfolios, it’s a real shame to hear from someone like Rais Yatim who seems to have shown his total ignorance (and arrogance) about the Malaysian Constitution 1957 and the Malaysian Agreement of 1963!

Rais had blasted DAP’s Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen for his insistence on speaking in English in Parliament earlier this week.

He had said – “MPs who refuse to speak in Bahasa Melayu should step down from their posts – he lives in Malaysia, he should understand the national language – if he insists on using English, he should resign as an MP.”

According to news reports, Chong had began his debate in Bahasa Melayu but had switched to English before he was rebuked by Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee.

Coming to the support of Rais, the deputy head of the National Professors Council’s Historical, Heritage and Sociocultural Cluster Prof Dr Yahaya Ibrahim had also described Chong’s action as “rude and illegal”.

Rude may be subject to one’s interpretation, but “illegal” it certainly wasn’t! Yahaya should perhaps brush up his “history” on the Constitution of Malaysia 1957 – where it is written and enshrined for perpetuity the following clauses –

Part XIIA – Additional Protections for States of Sabah and Sarawak

Article 161

Clause 1 – No Act of Parliament terminating or restricting the use of the English language for any of the purposes mentioned in Clauses (2) to (5) of Article 152 shall come into operation as regards to the use of the English language in any case mentioned in Clause (2) of this article until ten years after Malaysia Day

Clause 2 (a) – Clause (1) applies –

-to the use of the English language in either House of Parliament by a member for or from the State of Sabah or Sarawak; and

-to the use of the English language for proceedings in the High Court in Borneo or in a subordinate court in the State of Sabah or Sarawak, or for such proceedings in the Supreme Court as are mentioned in Clause (4); and

-to the use of the English language in the State of Sabah or Sarawak in the Legislative Assembly or for other official purposes (including the official purposes of the Federal Government).

There you have it – in clear, precise and straightforward words – which shouldn’t be too troublesome for both Rais and Yahaya to understand. Maybe they have either forgotten about this conveniently or had chosen to arrogantly brush it aside – maybe the latter being the case!

Rais Yatim who was dropped from Najib’s Cabinet after GE13 but later appointed as the high sounding and newly created post of ‘socio-cultural advisor’ is no stranger to controversy.

In 2007, his name was linked to an alleged rape of an Indonesian maid during his tenure as the minister of information, communication and culture. The allegation was never proven but had left his reputation in tatters.

For a long time, since the rise and popularity of the Internet, online news portals also bore the brunt of many negative comments from Rais. His remarks were widely viewed as opposing freedom of expression in all fields of endeavour, including social behaviour, culture, and the arts.

During his tenure as culture minister, Rais had also censored with a heavy hand many international shows and concerts from performing in Malaysia due to reasons like “too much Zionist influence” or “behaviour unacceptable to Malaysians”.

One can only conclude that when he was dropped by Najib as a GE13 candidate, many Malaysians must have rejoiced.

A veteran politician like Rais Yatim and a “professor” like Dr Yahaya should have known better – to check the Malaysian Constitution first before making statements contrary to what had been clearly constituted.-The Ant Daily

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