KUALA LUMPUR – Placing politics in the backseat, Pakatan Harapan (PH) has pledged its parliamentary numbers to support constitutional amendments related to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
In a statement today, the PH presidential council pointed out that the coalition has worked towards implementing the amendments themselves but failed to do so due to the lack of a two-thirds majority.
“PH on a policy level supports the current government in their efforts, given it is part of Item 5 in the MoU between the opposition coalition and the government.
“PH will not play politics and will give two-thirds’ support for this constitutional amendment so that the rights of Sabahans and Sarawakians can be strengthened,” the statement read.
Additionally, the opposition coalition expressed hope that the constitutional amendments will push forth efforts pertaining to the contents of MA63 to uphold fairness for Sabah and Sarawak.
It added that this has been the stance of its leadership for years, including recognising Hari Malaysia, which was spearheaded by opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in 2008.
“Also, DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang in Parliament opposed 1976 constitutional amendments which downgraded Sabah and Sarawak's status from territory to state,” the statement read.
Earlier this month, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar announced that a bill will be introduced in Parliament to amend the federal constitution in line with relevant provisions of the MA63.
Wan Junaidi said the first reading of the bill could take place on October 26. – The Vibes, October 22, 2021