Kuching: DAPSY Sarawak Deputy Chief Soo Tien Ren has called for the Kampung Haji Baki Muslim cemetery issue to be viewed within the proper constitutional framework, saying responsibility should not be placed solely on the former Pakatan Harapan Federal Government, as the matter also falls under the jurisdiction of the Sarawak Government.
In a statement, Soo said recent remarks by ADUN for Batu Kitang Lo Khere Chiang attributing the delayed land-filling works at the Kampung Haji Baki Muslim cemetery entirely to the former Federal Government overlooked the constitutional division of powers between the Federal and State Governments.
He said the Federal Constitution clearly places Islamic law and Muslim religious administration as matters under state authority under List II of the Ninth Schedule, and land and local government are likewise State List matters, while burial and cremation grounds are expressly listed under Item 5(c) of the State List.
“As the Kampung Haji Baki cemetery is a Muslim cemetery, it is administered under Sarawak’s Islamic administrative framework through Majlis Islam Sarawak, with administrative support from the Jabatan Agama Islam Sarawak,” he said.
Soo said the Majlis Islam Sarawak Ordinance 2001 and guidelines issued by Majlis Islam Sarawak provide that matters involving cemetery registration, administration, maintenance and development are managed by Sarawak’s own institutions and appointed management committees.
“While the former Federal Government may be questioned over the withdrawal of its earlier funding commitment, the constitutional responsibility for administering and developing Muslim cemeteries remains with the State Government and its agencies,” he said.
Soo also reminded that Lo had publicly assured residents in 2019 that the affected projects would not be cancelled, saying the community was entitled to know what progress had been made since then.
He added that state assemblymen receive RM5 million annually in constituency development allocations, which could be used to support local priorities. He also noted that Lo himself announced an RM200,000 allocation in 2023 for upgrading works at the Kampung Haji Baki Muslim cemetery.
“That demonstrates State resources were available when priority was given. The issue should not be about assigning blame but about ensuring every authority fulfils its constitutional responsibilities. The people of Kampung Haji Baki deserve transparency and accountability from all parties involved,” Soo said.
