New amendment Bill endorsed
KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Cabinet and the Federal Attorney General have endorsed a further amendment in terms of wording to the amendment Bill on Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution, which is expected to be tabled for second reading today.
The new amendment is expected to reflect what was stated in the Federal Constitution 1963 instead of stating: (a) Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor and Terengganu; and (b) Sabah and Sarawak as in the first reading tabled on April 4.
The Federal Constitution 1963 reads: ‘(a) the States of Malaya, namely, Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor and Terengganu; and (b) the Borneo States, namely, Sabah and Sarawak’.
In confirming this yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government had listened to different opinions since the first reading of the amendment Bill on April 4.
“There have been several requests over the last few days and I have met up with some of the MPs and things like that (they requested) to include the words such as ‘States of Malaya’ back to the 1963 position.
“I already met with the Prime Minister and Federal AG this morning (yesterday) and they have no issue on that,” he said at an interview in his office in Parliament.
Liew pointed out that the proposed amendment came with an explanatory statement which would also be part of the Federal Constitution.
“Article 1 simply lays down the gist of it. But then you have to look at the explanatory statement. Clause 2 of this Bill seeks to substitute Clause (2) of Article 1 of the Federal Constitution during the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
“This amendment is made in line with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement concluded in 1963. It satisfies the aspiration and hope of the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak, and all people of Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
He added that this explained clearly that it is in line with MA63 and the aspiration of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
“This is very clear, it will be recorded in the Constitution. Nobody can say that it is not in. Later on when it is amended, the explanatory note will be there, to say why this particular clause is amended.”
Stressing that the amendment Bill is very important for Sabah and Sarawak, Liew said it is the duty of all MPs to take part in the debate and speak up for their constituents.
“Raise the voices of your people and I urge people of Sabah and Sarawak and the whole Malaysia to give their views to their MPs to debate and discuss,” he said.
He pointed out that it was the constitutional amendment in 1976 that altered the status of Sabah and Sarawak.
“The amendment stays for 43 years and the previous administration did not take any giant step to amend it.
“So this year, the PH government, less than a year taking over as the government, has taken this giant step. This is also in line with the PH election manifesto of bringing the original position in 1963 back to Sabah and Sarawak, to go back to the spirit and intention of MA63” he said.
According to Liew, the Chief Minister of Sabah who is also Semporna MP would not have much issue about the revision to the amendment Bill.
He said the additional wording was what the Chief Minister of Sabah wanted but he could not say the same for Sarawak.
“The Chief Minister of Sarawak has his reservation. He wants me to meet his GPS (chief whip in Parliament),” he said, adding that Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg is not an MP but the Chief Minister of Sabah is.
Liew believes and hopes that the Semporna MP will participate in the debate after the expected second reading of the amendment Bill today.