KUCHING, March 31 2026: Julau MP Larry Sng (picture) defended his suggestion that third generation Sarawakians of Chinese descent be accorded the Bumiputera status, in comments posted on Facebook.
“If Raghad (Kurdi, wife of the former Governor the late Taib Mahmud) and her children, all Syrians, can become Malaysians, Melanau and Bumiputra in a short span of time, who are we fooling here to say that Bumiputera status cannot be granted to those non Bumis whose family have been from Sarawak for over 100 years?” he asked.
“The constitutional amendment can be made in the state, no need to go to parliament. That’s why it is doable only in Sarawak,” he said.
“Perhaps as a suggestion the government can create “Sino-putra” or “Sara-putra”as a new category of native and insert it in a state Constitution amendment. That would be the easiest way,” Sng, who is also Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) president.
Sng was obviously referring to PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman who had said that before granting the third generation Sarawakians of Chinese descent there was a need to look at the provisions of both the Federal and State Constitutions on who qualified to be categorised as Bumiputera.
Sng stressed that granting the Bumiputera status to the third generation is not at the expense of other communities.
“If this was expanded, not only are we accorded equal footing in Sarawak but also throughout the country,” he said, adding:”Basically we are expanding opportunities. Think of it as growing the economic cake as opposed to merely focusing on each others share.”
“Given that there will always be more poor people than rich even among the non Bumiputras, I believe it will benefit those in the B40 category most.
“In addition, I believe the original intent of such a policy is to give indigenous communities an advantage in a situation of scarce resources and opportunities.
“However times have changed. Sarawak today is much richer than before with additional revenue streams therefore by expanding such privileges it will benefit almost all Sarawakians in a more equitable way,” Sng commented.
A Facebook account holder agreed that Sng has a powerful and well-reasoned counterargument.
“However, if native status is expanded too broadly, how do we ensure that its original purpose in protecting indigenous communities is not diluted?” she asked.
“If everyone qualifies, can the policy still serve a targeted and protective function, or does it risk evolving into a general entitlement?” she again asked.
“What impact would broader eligibility have on the distribution of benefits currently allocated to indigenous communities, and could this inadvertently disadvantage those it was originally intended to support?” she questioned.
Another Facebook account holder said it would be easier for the Chinese to be granted the Bumiputera status if they are assimilated into the local culture and way of life of the Bumiputera communities, just like what are happening in Indonesia and Thailand.
Another account holder asked Sng what was exactly his point, questioning if Sng was suggesting that “we move toward a single-stream school system and abolish SJKC entirely?
“If so, is that truly a fair and balanced approach for a diverse society? Equality does not mean erasing differences,” he said.
“A more reasonable path is to acknowledge and respect our differences while ensuring that all communities are treated fairly,” he said.
Another account holder asked Sng to put forward his suggestion in Parliament, instead of issuing a public statement that does not carry weight.
He said when Raghad and her children were granted the Bumiputera status Sng did not raise any question.
“Why raise the question now?” he asked.