DAP to go to court to challenge the Malacca State Government refusal to recognise an Iban as a bumiputera to buy a bumiputera-allotted shoplot


Media Conference Statement
by Lim Kit Siang

(Bintulu, Thursday): DAP will go to court to defend the constitutional rights of Ibans and challenge the Malacca State Government refusal to recognise an Iban as a bumiputera to buy a bumiputra-allotted shoplot.

Guyang anak Umar, 36, had applied for the registration of his purchase of a shoplot developed by Asiatic Land Development Sdn. Bhd for RM190,931 which was the price set for bumiputera buyers in December 1995.

The shoplot was built on 99-year leasehold land and not on a Malay Customary land.

Under 153 of the Federal Constitution, Malays and natives of the states of Sarawak and Sabah are accorded bumiputera rights including the reservation of quotas.

It is most unfortunate that 34 year after joining Malaysia, the constitutional rights of the natives of Sarawak should still be a question.

I call on the Sarawak Attorney-General to declare the stand of the Sarawak State Government.

I also call on the Malaysian Attorney-General, Tan Sri Mohtar Abdullah to state whether he agrees with the interpretation of the Malacca State Legal Adviser excluding an Iban as a bumiputera in Malacca, as well as in other states in Peninsular Malaysia.

The DAP has formed a Legal Panel, chaired by Sarawak DAP State Chairman and Assemblyman for Pahlawan, Jason Wong, to challenge the Malacca Government decision and to defend and uphold the constitutional rights of Ibans as well as the natives of Sarawak and Sabah in general.

Jason Wong will be assisted by DAP Legal Adviser, Karpal Singh (MP for Jelutong) and Richard Wong Ho Leng (Assemblyman for Bukit Assek) to prepare for a constitutional challenge in the courts.

(22/5/97)


*Lim Kit Siang - Malaysian Parliamentary Opposition Leader, Democratic Action Party Secretary-General & Member of Parliament for Tanjong