KUALA LUMPUR – The bill to amend the federal constitution to align certain provisions with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is expected to be tabled in Parliament by the end of this month, said Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
In a statement, he said he hopes the first reading of the bill will take place on October 26, followed by a second reading on October 28.
He said although the Attorney-General’s Chambers is still reviewing legal provisions, the ministry has already begun its exercise to explain the matter to key stakeholders, including MPs and Sabah and Sarawak leaders, as well as the attorney-general in the two states.
Wan Junaidi said the initiative has received support from Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Md Noor, adding that he will meet Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg to discuss the matter soon.
Based on the outcome of the engagement exercise, Wan Junaidi said he aims to have a special meeting on MA63 that will be chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on October 21.
He added that, subsequently, a special paper on MA63 will be presented by Ismail Sabri to the cabinet the following day on October 22.
Wan Junaidi said tentatively, the AGC is scheduled to produce a Blue Bill on the matter, which will be presented to parliamentarians on October 25.
Amendments to the federal constitution, he said, are crucial as they will provide clarity on the position of Sabah and Sarawak, particularly natives of the East Malaysian states.
“Over the years, there has been an erosion in Sabah and Sarawak rights, as stated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963. We hope to rectify this by amending some critical provisions in the constitution.” – The Vibes, October 6, 2021
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