Taib has violated state constitution, says DAP rep
Dukau PapauPublished: Feb 8, 2014 4:48 AM | Updated: Feb 8, 2014 5:02 AM
DAP Padungan assemblyperson Wong King Wei has accused Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud of violating the state constitution of Sarawak by becoming a director of an investment company since May 2007.
DAP Padungan assemblyperson Wong King Wei has accused Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud of violating the state constitution of Sarawak by becoming a director of an investment company since May 2007.
“Taib Mahmud should explain to the general public his directorship in Mesti Bersatu Sdn Bhd and how this is not in violation of Article 6(5) of the Sarawak state constitution.
“Clearly Article 6(5) states that the chief minister shall not hold any office of profit and shall not actively engage in any enterprise,” he said.
According to a company search via Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia dated Feb 6, 2014, the chief minister had held directorship of the company since May 9, 2007.
The nature of business of Mesti Bersatu Sdn Bhd as shown in the company search is ‘investment holding, property investment and property letting’ which is in nature a profit-oriented company, said Wong, who is a practising lawyer.
“Mesti Bersatu Sdn Bhd is one of the shareholders of Delta Padi Sdn Bhd which is involved in ‘commercial cultivation of padi’ as its nature of business as stated in the company search.
“Therefore, I now urge the chief minister to explain his directorship in Mesti Bersatu Sdn Bhd as to how this is not in violation of Article 6(5) of the state constitution.
“His explanation is necessary for the public interest and interest of justice.
“Failing which Taib should resign as chief minister and if he is offered the position of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, he should refrain from accepting the post as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak is also not allowed to hold any office of profit as specified under article 2(2) of the state constitution,” he said.
Meanwhile, native customary rights land activist Nicholas Mujah (left), who had met the natives who are padi planters and fishermen comprising Ibans and Melanaus, said that they have been cheated by Delta Padi Sdn Bhd, a company linked to Taib, and are contemplating suing the company.
“About 28,000 hectares of their land have been grabbed and leased to Delta Padi Sdn Bhd for the planting of padi in 2007.
“But now the land has been planted with oil palm and not padi,” he said.
“So they feel that they have been cheated,” said Mujah.
The natives, who are mostly fishermen, claimed that Pulau Bruit had been granted to them by the Brooke regime.
They said that their livelihoods now have been destroyed by the development following the collapse of the fish stocks caused by the destruction and removal of the mangrove forest and the pollution of the water of the area by fertilisers and pesticides.
“Taib Mahmud should explain to the general public his directorship in Mesti Bersatu Sdn Bhd and how this is not in violation of Article 6(5) of the Sarawak state constitution.
“Clearly Article 6(5) states that the chief minister shall not hold any office of profit and shall not actively engage in any enterprise,” he said.
According to a company search via Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia dated Feb 6, 2014, the chief minister had held directorship of the company since May 9, 2007.
The nature of business of Mesti Bersatu Sdn Bhd as shown in the company search is ‘investment holding, property investment and property letting’ which is in nature a profit-oriented company, said Wong, who is a practising lawyer.
“Mesti Bersatu Sdn Bhd is one of the shareholders of Delta Padi Sdn Bhd which is involved in ‘commercial cultivation of padi’ as its nature of business as stated in the company search.
“Therefore, I now urge the chief minister to explain his directorship in Mesti Bersatu Sdn Bhd as to how this is not in violation of Article 6(5) of the state constitution.
“His explanation is necessary for the public interest and interest of justice.
“Failing which Taib should resign as chief minister and if he is offered the position of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, he should refrain from accepting the post as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak is also not allowed to hold any office of profit as specified under article 2(2) of the state constitution,” he said.
Meanwhile, native customary rights land activist Nicholas Mujah (left), who had met the natives who are padi planters and fishermen comprising Ibans and Melanaus, said that they have been cheated by Delta Padi Sdn Bhd, a company linked to Taib, and are contemplating suing the company.“About 28,000 hectares of their land have been grabbed and leased to Delta Padi Sdn Bhd for the planting of padi in 2007.
“But now the land has been planted with oil palm and not padi,” he said.
“So they feel that they have been cheated,” said Mujah.
The natives, who are mostly fishermen, claimed that Pulau Bruit had been granted to them by the Brooke regime.
They said that their livelihoods now have been destroyed by the development following the collapse of the fish stocks caused by the destruction and removal of the mangrove forest and the pollution of the water of the area by fertilisers and pesticides.
View Comments0