PBS Will Support Lifting Of Freeze On Issuance Of Native Certificate

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 31 (Bernama) -- Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) secretary-general Datuk Henrynus Amin said today the party would give its full support for any government move to lift the freeze on the issuance of the native certificate (Sijil Anak Negeri) to benefit genuine and qualified Sino-natives.

He said Sino-natives should not be penalized for crimes committed by imposters or phony applicants who may have abused the system to obtain native certificates through fraudulent means.

He said Sino-natives are natives by operation of law, as provided for by the Sabah Interpretation (Definition of Native) Ordinance 1952 and therefore should be respected.

However, Henrynus warned there should not be automatic recognition of existing native certificates issued in the past, as the State Government was still working hard to weed out the fake ones.

"Those in possession of fraudulent native certificates should not be protected by the law," he said in a statement on Friday.

Henrynus denied opposition allegations that the Sabah State government had totally stopped recognizing Sino-natives or stopping them from exercising their rights and privileges as provided for by the Sabah State Constitution.

He said Sino-natives could buy native customary land or open an Amanah Saham Bumiputera account but they must seek written recognition of their status at the department of native affairs under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing located on the 2nd floor podium at Wisma Stephens Karamunsing.

He said genuine Sino-natives with the necessary documents should not fear the tedious verification process of applying and issuing of the letter from the native affairs department.

On the issue of the State legal provisions for Sino-natives conflicting with Article 161A (6) (b) of the Federal Constitution, he said the social contract as enshrined in the State Constitution agreed during the formation of Malaysia must be respected and accepted in good faith.

"I think, and this is my personal opinion, no one should attempt to change or even question the status quo as to do so would surely put the basis for the formation of Malaysia into question," he said.