See’s statement ‘self-contradictory’ – Soo

July 12, 2016, Tuesday 

Soo with a copy of the Malaysia Agreement.

KUCHING: Sarawak Reform Party (Reform) president Lina Soo has branded state PKR vice chairman See Chee How’s statement on the state’s status as ‘self-contradictory’.

Soo said See cannot at the same time support Malaya’s position for ‘strong central federal control’ and Sarawak nationalism which are opposing ideas.
“His (See’s) statement smacks of Malayan party chauvinism which sticks to the concept of federal control of Sarawak within Malaysia,” she said in a press statement yesterday.

Soo was responding to See’s statement that in the federation of Malaysia, the country practises constitutional federalism and the Federal Constitution is supreme, and it provides that the federation comprises 13 states and the Federal Territories.

See’s statement came after SUPP president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian on Saturday urged Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem to refer to Sarawak as a region in Malaysia and not a state within the federation when negotiating with the federal government on the devolution of power and autonomy.

Soo pointed out that Dr Sim’s call for ‘regionalism’ appeared to be citing Adenan’s June 2016 comments that reportedly said Sarawak should be treated as one of three regions in Malaysia.

“If Sarawak was really an autonomous state there would be in reality three regions being Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak in the ‘Malaysia’ federation.”
Soo also said See’s comments clearly reflected the stark differences between a Malayan oriented political party and a Sarawak-based party.

“The Malayan party sees Sarawak as the 13th state of a federation and strenuously promotes strengthening Tunku Abdul Rahman’s ‘Federation’ concept which means the original Federation of 11 Malayan states can gang up to control Sarawak and share its wealth to develop Malaya at the expense of Sarawakians.

“A real Sarawak-based party would be fighting for Sarawak rights without compromise and demand compliance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) which is a federation of three separate entities – Sarawak, Sabah and Malaya – until the unconstitutional amendment of Act 354 Section 2 on 27 August 1976 which downgraded Sarawak to one of thirteen entities or states.”

She also begged to disagree with See’s statement that the Federal Constitution is supreme.

“It is the Malaysia Agreement signed on July 9, 1963 between UK, Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah which is supreme and the mother of all agreements as, if there is no Malaysia Agreement, there will be no Federation of Malaysia.”

Therefore, Soo said the Federal Constitution which comes after the formation of Malaysia cannot be legislated in contravention of Malaysia Agreement.

“MA63 cannot be amended or re-negotiated unless all signatory parties come back to review the International Treaty signed between countries.”

She also urged all Sarawak lawmakers to seek to repeal Amendment Act 354 Section 2, as this will restore Sarawak’s status as an autonomous region and one of three equal partners as in the letter and spirit of Malaysia Agreement 1963.

Soo also urged Malayan based political parties in Sarawak to study the Malaysia Agreement and work to respect Sarawak rights and powers if they are true representatives of the people of Sarawak.

She then suggested that SUPP call for a debate and to invite all political parties to the debate.

My comments:
If anyone still refer Sarawak as a state thinking it is subordinate to the Federal government is out of the game and will be condemned.  Many are senselessly refer Sarawak as a state all the time.  I really despise them.  I don't know how long DAP and PKR can survive in Sarawak. 

Sarawak is a member country.  Why is it so difficult to claim Her as one?  Why is it called a region which sounds so odd in every way?