Sarawak CM can’t contest polls if Bahasa Malaysia SPM credit compulsory, says PKR

KUCHING, May 4 ― Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem and his entire state cabinet will not be eligible to contest in the state elections if the Election Commission (EC) makes it compulsory for lawmakers to possess a credit in Bahasa Malaysia in SPM examinations, PKR said today.

Sarawak PKR vice chairman See Chee How said he has checked the educational background of the nine members of the Sarawak state cabinet and found that none of them have sat for the Malay-language paper in their Senior Cambridge Examination (SCE) and the Higher School Certificate (HSC), which are equivalent to the SPM Form Five and STPM Form Six public examinations respectively.

“Therefore, the proposal is ridiculous and impractical to be implemented in Sarawak,” See told reporters here.

The Batu Lintang state assemblyman pointed out that Bahasa Malaysia was not a compulsory subject in the SCE and HSC during the 1950s and 1960s.

See also accused EC chairman Tan Sri Aziz Mohd Yusof of being unduly influenced by controversial Chinese convert Ridhuan Tee Abdullah for agreeing to study the proposal.

Aziz said yesterday that the commission was studying Tee’s proposal to make it compulsory for those seeking to become federal or state lawmakers to possess at least a credit in Bahasa Malaysia at the SPM level, despite the Federal Constitution and EC regulations having no such requirements.

In making the suggestion in his Sinar Harian column on April 27, Tee had described the proceedings in Parliament and state assemblies as “pasar malam” (night market) and said lawmakers are “acting like children”.

See, who strongly objected to the proposal, pointed out that the Sarawak state assembly is not compelled to use Bahasa Malaysia in its proceedings.

“Article 24 Clause 8 of the State Constitution provides the proceedings in the State Assembly may be in English language and that members may use any native language, including, Malay, Iban and Bidayuh, in addressing the august House, subject to Standing Orders,” he said, adding that most of the proceedings in the Sarawak state assembly are conducted in English.

On the qualification of membership to the state assembly, he said Articles 16, 16A and 17 of the Sarawak state constitution provides that a person must be a Malaysian citizen, be not less than 21 years old, be of sound mind and not at the same time be a member of the Senate and House of Representatives.