Amendment Bill to restore Sarawak’s status in Federal Constitution – Chong
KUCHING: The amendment Bill to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution seeks to restore the original structure and framework to that of the Federal Constitution in 1963, said Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen.
The Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs said the PH government is sincere in restoring the original structure which provided that the Federation shall be (a) the Peninsular Malaysia states, and (b) the East Malaysia states namely Sabah and Sarawak.
"If you compare to what we are now - among the 13 states, this amendment is definitely an improvement, something that is better with regards to the status of Sabah and Sarawak.
"We regret that GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) objected to the amendment, which purpose is to restore the constitutional framework first.
"It does not stop there for it provides the first step. It is like building a house, first thing to do is piling and foundation works, then putting in walls, windows, doors and then furniture," he said at a press conference held at the Democratic Action Party (DAP) headquarters here yesterday.
Chong, who is DAP Sarawak chairman and Stampin MP, stressed that "this framework must be set right" because if "we don't have the foundation, the whole thing doesn't work".
He said all the previous administration under Barisan Nasional (BN) did was "talk and discuss" after which nothing was achieved.
"To put things right, we (PH) tabled this amendment (Bill). What matters is that we get the amendment right with two categories (a) and (b) to have equal standing and status.
"There is no reason for GPS to block this amendment. If they are not happy with this amendment, they can further negotiate with the Steering Committee and the Technical Committee," he added.
However, if the amendment Bill is rejected next Tuesday, he feared that Sabah and Sarawak would remain among the 13 states in Malaysia.
Chong reiterated that it would be imperative to "put the framework in the right perspective" and to carry on negotiations and discussions on devolution of power such as revenue sharing and education later.
He asserted that Sarawak "has all to gain but nothing to lose" by accepting this amendment Bill.
"It is their (GPS) huge ego that they don't see PH's sincerity in restoring the rightful position of Sabah and Sarawak which BN did not do in the past decades."
As such, he called upon GPS to put aside their ego and pride to pave way for the restoration of the status of Sabah and Sarawak in line with the original Federal Constitution.
Stressing that this "is only the beginning", Chong pointed out that Article 160(2) "has many interpretations" and that this provision had been there since 1957, and Malaysia was formed in 1963.
"That has been there for so long and let's just focus on Article 1(2) to put things right as it was in 1963. Why bring in Article 160(2)? There may be other provisions, and when you start doing this, it will never end.
"With this amendment, there will be two categories instead of Sabah and Sarawak being among the 13 states. What has Sarawak to lose with this amendment?
"You prefer being one of the 13 states or two categories? It's restoring the rightful position of Sabah and Sarawak in line with the original Constitution," he added.
The DAP lawmaker said MPs can put forward their arguments or suggestions during the second reading but "walking out is definitely the worst choice of it all".
He advised all not to delve into the details, adding: "Do not lose sight of the whole forest by looking at one tree. The whole forest is the foundation of our country and restores the status of Sabah and Sarawak in the Federation."