Amendment should comply with MA63 — LDP
KOTA KINABALU: Amendment to the Federal Constitution to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners with Peninsular Malaysia is not only the aspiration of East Malaysians, but a move that should be done in compliance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) deputy president Datuk Lim Ming Hoo.
He said restoring the rightful status of Sabah and Sarawak was also the promise made by both the ruling and opposition parties during the election.
Lim said that when asked to comment on Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong’s announcement that the Cabinet has agreed to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners with Peninsular Malaysia.
Liew said the amendment to the Federal Constitution would be tabled at the next Parliament session scheduled to begin on March 11.
The MA63, which led to the establishment of Malaysia on September 16, 1963, recognized Sabah and Sarawak as partners with equal rights to Malaya, now known as Peninsular Malaysia.
However, the amendment to the Federal Constitution in 1976 resulted in the status of Sabah and Sarawak being downgraded as the 12th and 13th states in Malaysia.
Lim said the Federal Government must also recognize and allow the need to make necessary adjustments over time during the implementation of MA63.
“This includes the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, which extends to federal agencies and civil servants.”