KUCHING: Sarawak Patriots Association (SPA) is concerned with the alteration of Sarawak boundaries without the State Assembly’s approval.
Its president Datuk John Lau Pang Heng said Article 2(b) of the Federal Constitution (FC) stated that a law altering the boundaries of a state (Sarawak or Sabah) shall not be passed without the consent of that state, expressed by a law under the legislature of Sarawak.
“Are the amendments to the Territorial Sea Act 2012, Fisheries 1985, Petroleum Development Act 1974 and the Exclusive Economic Zone Act 1984 constitutional?
“Were these amendments in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 that mentioned the boundaries of the Borneo states?” he said in response to a recent news report regarding the four state boundaries that had been altered.
He also questioned whether the amendment of the Sarawak boundaries fall under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 ratified by Malaysia, which came into effect on Nov 14, 1996.
“Do the amendments of these laws contradict Article 2(b) of the FC? If it has, would the upcoming parliament make amendments? Will the errors be corrected?” he further queried.
Lau then congratulated the state government for bringing the amendment of Federal Constitution Article 1(2) to the State Assembly for approval.
“SPA’s stand remains unchanged. If there is any law that affects Sarawak, please consult Sarawak first before bringing it to the Parliament for approval,” he stressed.
He also called upon the federal government to rectify those laws that were not approved by the state assembly.
“It is imperative that the proper constitutional procedures are followed.”
