Rep proposes native status for S'wakian-born Chinese, Indians
According to the Borneo Post, the Batu Lintang assemblyperson reminded the assembly that the state constitution is a dynamic document and can be improved upon.
“I hope that we will make the constitution...
Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) state assemblyperson See Chee How has called for the Sarawak Constitution to be amended for all citizens born in Sarawak to be considered ‘natives’, including those of Chinese and Indian racial origins.
According to the Borneo Post, the Batu Lintang assemblyperson reminded the assembly that the state constitution is a dynamic document and can be improved upon.
“I hope that we will make the constitution all-encompassing, to include and serve all Sarawakians in Sarawak,” he said in a debate in support of the Interpretation (Amendment) Bill yesterday.
He argued that an enactment dating back to 1920 during the time of the 'White Rajahs' meant that any natural-born Sarawakian is a native in Sarawak - "including the Chinese and Indians."
See (above) said there was no subsequent legislation repealing that native status but the provisions in the Federal Constitution and the existing Sarawak Interpretation Ordinance indicate that Chinese and Indians are not considered as natives of Sarawak.
“Many foreigners have been made natives, and even regarded as members of the indigenous race, by operation of the laws,” he said.
See said the first part of Clause 2 of the Interpretation Bill had rightly and necessarily promulgated a new schedule which inserted additional races considered to be indigenous to Sarawak.
He said this includes a person who is a citizen and is a natural-born child of a person of a race indigenous to Sarawak.
“Clause 2(b) of this Bill and the proviso are in relation to those who are not persons or descendants of a race indigenous to Sarawak, but are natives of Sarawak because Sarawak is a country of their origin or birth, or by operation of the laws as described in clause 2(b) of this Interpretation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022.”
He said they should satisfy the conditions imposed by the state cabinet for recognition of such a person as a native of Sarawak and with the expressed proviso that it ‘shall not have any effect on any rights and privileges (other than the determination of native status) including relating to inheritance, acquisition, purchase, transfer, sale, or disposal of, or of other dealings in land.
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