Scrutinise proposed amendment before deciding, MPs told
KUCHING: Sabah and Sarawak MPs are reminded to scrutinise the amendments to Article 1( 2) of the Federal Constitution on restoring Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners with Malaya.
Sarawak Association for People’s Aspirations ( Sapa) president Dominique Ng cautioned that utmost care should be taken when reviewing the amendments as they may not have the time to read the proposed amendments ahead of its first reading.
“I hope that Sarawakian MPs, whether they are from Pakatan Harapan ( PH) or Gabungan Parti Sarawak ( GPS), as well as Sabahan MPs will read it carefully and not allow it to pass if it falls short of what Sarawakians and Sabahans are expecting.
“I think we would rather reject this amendment or withdraw our support if it falls short of our expectations, rather than allow it to crystallise our position in the Federation,” Ng said in a press conference yesterday at Telang Usan Hotel here.
He also voiced Sapa’s support for a statement released by Sabah Sarawak Rights-Australia New Zealand Incorporation ( SSRANZ) president Robert Pei, who highlighted to the Malaysian public the amendment is similar to the de- colonisation of Mauritius in 1968.
In his statement, Pei had referred to Mauritius challenging the validity of the 1965 Mauritius ‘ agreement’ with the United Kingdom to ‘detach’ the Chagos Islands from Mauritius territory to form a new colony in 1965.
“We are of the view that MA63 itself is void ab initio (invalid from the beginning), as when MA63 was signed, Sarawak and Sabah were still colonies. Thus, we strongly support that Sarawak and Sabah use that stance to review their status within the Federation of Malaysia,” Ng stated.
Earlier, Ng announced that Sapa is formal ly “back in business” as their registration with the Registrar of Societies had been re-activated.
Also present at the press conference were Sapa founder Lina Soo as well as members of the MA63 legal team.