Political stability behind passing of landmark laws

KUCHING: Political analysts said Sarawak’s political stability must be credited for its ability to pass two landmark laws in the country, namely the Sarawak Ombudsman Bill and the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Bill.

Dr Arnold Puyok said Sarawak, unlike in other states, was able to push through such laws because it has not been too concerned with other issues in the religious or racial realm.

“Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia that has managed to keep its secular identity thus far.

“As a result, it is free to concentrate on other priority areas without being bogged down by racial and religious issues as in Peninsular Malaysia,” the senior lecturer in politics and government studies at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) was quoted as saying in a report by Channel News Asia (CNA).

On Nov 20, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan tabled the Sarawak Ombudsman Bill, while Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali tabled the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Bill at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.

Dr Arnold added Sarawak, unlike other states in the peninsula is different as it is a multiracial and multi-religious state, and is thus not preoccupied with racial and religious issues.

He also said Sarawak is making headway toward its development through the implementation of progressive measures.

“Sarawak will push for more pro-business and tech-focused policies without waiting for approval from the federal government, given its desire for greater autonomy,” he was reported as saying.

Meanwhile, senior fellow with the Singapore Institute of International Affairs Dr Oh Ei Sun while echoing the views of Dr Arnold, said other states, particularly those led by the opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional (PN), have other issues to focus on.

“Other states typically follow the federal government’s lead. And the PN states are concerned with religious rather than socioeconomic enactments,” he said.