Sarawakians first for civil service in state, says Batu Kitang rep
Lo says that this principle should also extend to the police force, where top-ranking positions are often filled by officers from the Peninsular, thereby limiting opportunities for qualified Sarawakians. – Ukas photo
KUCHING (Nov 13): Give priority to Sarawakians to serve in the civil service in the state, said Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang.
While highlighting the need to prioritise the ‘Borneonisation’ of civil service in the state, Lo opined that the current quota system that limits Sarawakian teachers and doctors from working in the state be removed, in line with the rights of Sarawakians as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“Sending teachers from the Peninsular here has led to issues like high absenteeism and unfamiliarity with subjects, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), whereas Sarawakian teachers are better connected to local communities and thrive in familiar environments.
“West Malaysian teachers are reluctant to transfer to Sarawak, and many of them, like many Sarawakians, face the difficult choice of leaving ageing parents or caring for sick family members,” said Lo in debating the Supply (2025) Bill 2024 at the State Legislative Assembly sitting today.
Sarawakian doctors should also be prioritised to practise in our own public hospitals, and it should not be compulsory for West Malaysian doctors to serve here, he reiterated.
“Local talents who understand our context ought to be given the opportunity,” he said, while commending the state Education Minister for pushing the move towards recruiting Sarawakian teachers, thus reducing reliance on federal provisions.
Lo stated that this principle should also extend to the police force, where top-ranking positions are often filled by officers from the Peninsular, thereby limiting opportunities for qualified Sarawakians.
“Many excel locally but are reassigned to roles in Malaya, perpetuating division and undermining our representation.
“Empowering Sarawakians in these roles will strengthen our institutions and ensure that our state’s interests are truly represented, as envisioned in the drafting of MA63,” he said.
Speaking about his stance against Malayan parties, he said the introduction of Malayan parties into Sarawak undermines its representation and threatens to reduce the current 25 per cent allocation of parliamentary seats, thereby eroding the constitutional rights.
“Historically, the founding fathers of Malaysia ensured that 65 per cent of parliamentary seats would be in Malaya, with the remainder allocated to Borneo states to safeguard our rights.
“Right now, Malaya holds 75 per cent of all the seats. Sabah and Sarawak, if combined, hold only 25 per cent,” he said, noting that West Malaysia currently holds over 40 parliamentary seats occupied by the Democratic Action Party (DAP).
By supporting DAP candidates – a Malaya-based party, this he said would further weaken Sarawak’s representation.
“It is vital that Sarawak and Sabah collectively retain at least 35 per cent of the Dewan Rakyat seats to ensure their rightful influence.
“We don’t want Malaya parties to contest in Sarawak and Sabah. Don’t come here and take our seats.
“You already have enough, we don’t have enough parliamentary seats as it is, so Malayan parties including the DAP should not come to Sabah and Sarawak to take our seats,” said Lo.
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