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Larry Sng and Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.Advertisement
By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 9: Were the Federal Constitution amended, Malay and Bumiputera safeguards under Article 153 reviewed, and the Conference of Rulers consulted when a family of Syrians was allegedly fast-tracked to become Melanau Bumiputera within a few years of living in Sarawak, asked Julau MP Datuk Larry Sng in a strongly worded statement.
Sng’s remarks came in response to Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, who earlier challenged him to bring his proposal on extending Bumiputera status to third-generation Sarawak Chinese to Parliament.
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In return, Sng challenged Asfia over his repeated emphasis on safeguarding the Federal Constitution, Malay rights, and the need for consent from the Conference of Rulers in matters affecting constitutional provisions.
“I beg the question: how did a family of Syrians suddenly become Melanau Bumiputera just within a few years of living in Sarawak? Was the Federal Constitution amended? Were Malay rights considered? Were the Conference of Rulers consulted?”
He further questioned the legal basis of such classification if the constitutional processes were not followed.
“If not, are they legally Melanau Bumiputeras?” he asked in a statement posted on his social media today.
Sng also raised broader concerns about equality among Sarawakians, saying that if such classifications could be granted to some, it raised questions about fairness for others who remain non-Bumiputera.
“As a Chinese non-Bumiputera, I am wondering if they can get it, why can’t the rest of us? Surely the law should apply to everyone equally,” he said, adding pointedly: “Are we less deserving? Did we not sacrifice for Sarawak? Are we not Sarawakian enough?”
He also urged clarity from the State leadership, questioning whether non-Bumiputera Sarawakians are still treated as “second-class citizens” despite being born and raised in Sarawak.
Sng proposed that one possible way forward, without triggering a wider national debate, would be to consider reclassifying long-established non-Bumiputera Sarawakians, particularly those whose families have been in Sarawak for three generations, into an indigenous grouping, similar to the Sino Kadazan classification in Sabah.
“This is about equality and fairness, and not a challenge to the rest of the country because I am only advocating this for Sarawakians,” he stressed.
He added that although Asfia was aware he did not hold executive power, he believed the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) administration had both the mandate and authority to consider such aspirations.
“I am expressing my hope and aspiration on behalf of the 630,000 people who are still non-Bumiputeras in Sarawak today,” he said.
At a press conference held at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters today, Asfia said the matter should be tested at federal level to gauge the extent of parliamentary support.
He stressed that Malaysia’s constitutional framework has long recognised the special position of Malays and Bumiputeras under Article 153 of the Federal Constitution and Article 39 of the Sarawak Constitution.
Asfia also pointed out that any constitutional amendment would require a two-thirds majority in Parliament, citing Articles 153, 161A and 161E as key provisions safeguarding Malay and native rights in Malaysia.
He added that any changes affecting these safeguards would also require the consent of the Conference of Rulers and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, whose constitutional role includes protecting the position of Malays and natives of Sabah and Sarawak. — DayakDaily
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