Rep: Upcoming amendment to Article 1 (2) ‘historic moment’

KUCHING: Pending assemblywoman Voilet Yong is happy to note that amendment to Article 1 ( 2) of the Federal Constitution will be tabled during the current Parliament session next month.

Describing the tabling of the amendment as a ‘historic moment’ for Sarawak after over 50 years of waiting, she hoped that all members of parliament ( MPs) from Sarawak, including the 19 from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) would be present.

“Amendment to Article 1 ( 2) of the Federal Constitution is a historic moment for us (the people of Sarawak), so I hope that all MPs from Sarawak will vote for the amendment to be passed,” Yong told a press conference at DAP headquarters here yesterday.

For the amendment to be passed, it needs a two-third majority from the total 222 Mps, to restore the status of Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners as Peninsular Malaysia.

Yong added that Barisan Nasional (BN), including the seven MPs from Sarawak United People’s Party ( SUPP) was at fault when amendment to the original Article 1 ( 2) of the Federal Constitution was passed in 1976 that reduced the status of Sarawak and Sabah to among the 13 states in Malaysia.

According to her, the seven MPs from SUPP then were from Kuching, Padawan, Sarikei, Sibu, Miri, Serian and Rajang, who voted for the amendment to be passed.

Meanwhile, Sarawak Pakatan Harapan ( PH) chairman Chong Chieng Jen on March 23 said the amendment would be tabled on April 8 and 9, and that an internal circular had been issued to all PH MPs to be present.