S’wak wants rights restored not mere alteration of status – Fadillah

KUCHING: What Sarawak wants is for all its state rights to be restored instead of merely altering its status as an equal partner in the Federation, said Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chief whip in Parliament Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

He asserted that altering the status of Sarawak without returning the rights would bear no significant meaning to what the Sarawak government and Sarawakians had fought for and desired.

The Petra Jaya MP said the amendment Bill to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution is just “window dressing” from the federal government.

“The Bill does not meet the aspiration and hope of the people of Sarawak. We appreciate the efforts of the federal government to table the amendment Bill, but it should not be done in such a hurried manner,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Fadillah pointed out that the federal government should engage in-depth discussions with Sarawak and Sabah before drafting and tabling the amendment Bill and suggested that the amendment Bill be postponed until the conclusion of negotiations at the Federal Steering Committee of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

He added that the amendment should have included other amendments such as the definition of “The Federation” under Article 160 of the Federal Constitution.

Article 160 of the Federal Constitution reads “The Federation means the Federation established under the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957”.

Fadillah said the representation of MPs and senators as well as federal cabinet members should be reviewed to reflect the equal partner status.

He added that the tabling of the Bill had to first seek the consent of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) before being tabled in Parliament to be passed as a law.

On Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sarawak’s allegations that GPS was working hand in hand with UMNO to derail the amendment to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution he said, “This is not about delaying but fighting for our rights.”

Fadillah said GPS and Barisan Nasional (BN) demanded that the government retract the Bill and refer it to the Parliamentary Select Committee for a thorough study.

“UMNO and others supported GPS because amending Constitution is a very serious matter. It is something not very easy and must go through detailed study, “he said.

Fadillah recalled that under BN, a Steering Committee of MA63 was formed to study the demands made by Sabah and Sarawak.

“During BN time, we have agreed on 13 issues. What is left to be fine-tuned were legislation and monetary whereas the existing regime has formed a similar committee to finalise the negotiations on these critical issues,” he said.

“That is why we are suggesting wait for the results of the negotiation and make a total amendment. We are also suggesting for the establishment of a Special Select Committee to get the feedback from all states involved and interested individuals,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sarawak’s de facto Law Minister Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed said she was far from impressed by the Bill.

“This amendment does not alter the functions of the federal and state government. There is no difference,” the Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring told The Borneo Post.

She said the Bill is vague and described it as “Sekadar melepaskan batuk di tangga” - a Malay proverb of doing something just for the sake of doing it.