Definition Of “Native” in the Federal Constitution did not Include the IBANS and BIDAYUHs of Sarawak
In Kuching, six Barisan Nasional assemblymen have lodged a police report against DAP’s Voon Lee Shan yesterday morning for allegedly making seditious remarks in the state assembly last week.
Asajaya assemblyman Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Voon’s remarks, made during the debate on the Budget last Wednesday, could cause racial tension in Sara-wak’s multi-cultural society, particularly among the Malays and the Dayaks.
Voon was alleged to have said that the definition of “native” in the Federal constitution did not include the Ibans and Bidayuhs of Sarawak. Any comment?
- November 20th
My dear friend Cobbold.
If YB Voon Lee Shan just explained the definition of `natives` under the Federal Constitution, that is not sedition. Those who did not attend the Dewan Undangan Negeri meeting on that day, would not be able to tell the exact words uttered by YB Voon.
Briefly, the meaning of seditious tendency includes any attempt to bring hatred or contempt or excite disaffection against the ruler or government or among the inhabitants. It is also about promoting feelings of ill will or hostility among different races or classes of population in the country or attempt to alter by unlawful means anything established by law.