PSB man disappointed over delay in efforts to restore rights of Sarawak and Sabah under MA63
Malaysia was formed based on MA63. Without MA63, we may not have the Malaysia born on Sept 16, 1963. The intended amendments are to Article 1(2) on restoring Sarawak, Sabah as equal partners in Malaysia, and not among the states (in Malaysia); as well as to Article 160(2), the inclusion of Malaysia Day.
— Datuk John Lau
KUCHING: A Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) man is disappointed over the delay in the amendments to the Federal Constitution pertaining to the restoration of the rightful status of Sarawak and Sabah within the context of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Datuk John Lau, who is the party’s potential state-election candidate for Kota Sentosa, describes this as ‘another letdown by the authorities’.
“In fact, the past four prime ministers had been studying the possibility to do the needed amendments.
“Malaysia was formed based on MA63. Without MA63, we may not have the Malaysia born on Sept 16, 1963. The intended amendments are to Article 1(2) on restoring Sarawak, Sabah as equal partners in Malaysia, and not among the states (in Malaysia); as well as to Article 160(2), the inclusion of Malaysia Day,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Lau pointed out that in view of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ concept emphasising on ‘inclusivity, finding common ground and contentment’, it is hoped that the constitutional amendments would also include Article 46, so that the members of Parliament would comprise 34.6 per cent of those from Sarawak and Sabah, and 65.4 per cent from Peninsular Malaysia.
“The composition is in line with Article 9 of MA63. At this current moment, those from the peninsula account for 75 per cent of the total number of members of Parliament, whereas (those from) Sabah and Sarawak only constitute 25 per cent.
“The concept of a family is finding a common ground by involving everyone in the family in fair, justified and graceful conversations,” he added.
Lau also hoped that the Petroleum Development Act 1974 can be nullified as it had never been approved by the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
“Sarawak is rich in oil and gas. Sarawakians need to benefit from the oil and gas revenue but so far, we get only five per cent of it.”
He said the Territorial Sea Act 2012 had also reduced the sea territorial distance from the coastline, from 12 nautical miles to three nautical miles.
“Article 3 Part II of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982, mentions that it allows 12 nautical miles of territorial sea,” he pointed out.
Lau said he was excited that the ‘Keluarga Malaysia’ concept had set out to instil integrity based on good values and trust, but added: “We hope the authorities would not let us down again.”