No need for a referendum, says Minister
Published on: Tuesday, September 23, 2014
KOTA KINABALU: There is no need to hold a referendum to gauge the views of the people of Sabah and Sarawak on whether they want to remain in Malaysia.Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Hjh Nancy Hj Shukri said Monday, there are more people who are for being in Malaysia, rather than being out of Malaysia."What for? I don't see a need for a referendum, not for now. As I said, I don't think it is fair for us to neglect people who have been helping us, people who have helped us with a lot of things.
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"When Sarawak and Sabah helped to form Malaysia, we didn't have the right people or many educated people but the Federal Government helped us. They built schools for education and provided security, a lot of things, and giving us special rights. "Sabah and Sarawak have been accorded special rights," she told a press conference after opening the Seminar on Rights and Issues of Women and Children, here.Nancy, who was accompanied by State Attorney-General cum Chairperson of Sabah Women's Advisory Council (MPWS), Datuk Mariati Robert, said both states have their own land and immigration laws. "We can stop people whom we feel can be a threat, from coming to our states. The minerals, the forests, all are ours so it is up to us to make use of the resources and develop them," she said, in responding to a reporter's question on whether Malaysia should take the cue from the recent Scotland referendum."You see how significant it is for us to use that (Yes or No for independence from the UK) as a guide. If you look at Sarawak and Sabah, for example, for 51 years, we have been independent under Malaysia.
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"We have enjoyed so much development. If we are to be on our own, let me tell you, it is not easy because our states are big. I can speak for Sarawak and Sabah because I am from Sarawak as well (and married to a Sabahan)."If we are left on our own, I don't think we can be as what we are today. We are already a Federation now. Together with Malaya, we are in Malaysia now. We have developed through Malaysia. It was the work of this team as a Malaysian Government that we achieved what we are today.
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According to Nancy, the Sarawak Chief Minister has clearly made his statement that there is no way for us to get out of Malaysia because we are already there as a team."But that does not mean that we would not ask for what we should be getting or what we should earn as Sarawak or Sabah people because we need to be at par with West Malaysia. The Federal Government is already helping us and of course, it takes time," she said.Answering another question, the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said the three individuals, who allegedly spread seditious statements on "Sabah Sarawak Keluar Malaysia"(SSKM), were detained under the Prevention of Crime (Amendment & Extension) Act 2014 (POCA)."One is not a Malaysian. Two are Malaysians. This shows we need that element of ISA in POCA (Prevention of Crime Act 1959) which was amended because we need to establish evidence. We need to look for more evidence to convict them."You see the need for the element of ISA is still there. I hope those who had been against the Government's move to retain that element in POCA will be agreeable. As they are not the law enforcers, it's easy to criticise but if they are enforcers, they will know how much we need it." Asked on one of the trio's challenge to the authorities to arrest her in the United Kingdom, Nancy said: "That shows this is a very irresponsible person. Why should we listen to people who are irresponsible? Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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