MP: Decision of special cabinet steering committee to be based on consensus
KUCHING: Any decision made by the Special Cabinet Steering Committee on Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63) will be based on consensus rather than a majority vote, says Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.
Dr Yii said he had received this assurance from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department ( Laws) Datuk Liew Vui Keong during their recent conversation.
“The assurance was also communicated with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg before, thus allaying the concerns that their voices will be drowned out,” he said in a press statement issued yesterday.
Dr Yii welcomed the announcement on the first meeting of the steering committee, which was chaired by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and attended by the chief ministers of Sabah and Sarawak yesterday, as part of the federal government’s efforts to restore Sabah and Sarawak’s status as equal partners in Malaysia.
“Among all the necessary amendments including determining the rights of Sabah and Sarawak to natural resources as well as oil and gas, I also hope to see the amendment of Article 1( 2) of the Federal Constitution to restore the equal partner status of Sabah and Sarawak in the federation as well as a proper revision of the special grants to Sarawak under Article 112(d) of the Federal Constitution.
“This is a historic step in restoring what is rightfully ours as well as correcting the wrongs of the previous government especially when it involves our autonomy as well as equal standing in the federation. I welcome this committee, especially the fact that it involves different minds from different fields who will examine and identify the necessary legal rectifications needed to restore our rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.”
Dr Yii also welcomed the passing of the motion to have additional members from Sabah and Sarawak to the steering committee to give more representation as well as input from different specialists, namely Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, Deputy Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Dato Gerawat Gala, Assistant Minister of Law, StateFederal Relations and Project Monitoring Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman, Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen and former Sabah attorney- general Datuk Stephen Foo.
“This is an important step in regaining our rights under MA63 and also shows sincerity and political will in recognising our special status and rights under the framework of MA63.
“I do hope that the committee and the cabinet will act on the recommendations after the set timeframe, and not just produce a report that is nice to see or nice to read, but no tangible and proactive steps to address all the necessary wrongs,” he added.