KOTA KINABALU – East Malaysians were today assured that Putrajaya will table the constitutional amendments in the current Dewan Rakyat sitting after the three weeks of Budget 2022 debates.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Minister) Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili said the federal cabinet yesterday endorsed the special council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He added that the bill to amend Article 1(2) and Article 160(2) of the federal constitution is now ready to be tabled in Parliament.
“There have been concerns after the tabling of the amendments were cancelled Tuesday and some think they may not be approved during the present (Dewan Rakyat) sitting.
“But now (after the cabinet has endorsed the amendments), it can be tabled any time. To pass the bill, it still needs a second reading and voting. But this can only be done after debates on the budget.
“This will go on for three weeks. I think the tabling (of the amendments) can be made by the time the budget is approved. As soon as the budget is approved, the next bill will be ours,” he said when met by reporters at the Sabah International Convention Centre here today.
On calls for a special sitting on the MA63, Ongkili said there is no harm discussing and contributing ideas on the matter.
However, he said the state assemblies cannot block the constitutional amendments, adding that they are a federal-parliamentary matter.
“The state assemblies of Sabah and Sarawak cannot block the federal bill.”
Ongkili said amendments to the federal constitution have already been taken care of and feedback from Sabah and Sarawak MPs has been positive.
“MPs can still give their views and contributions during the debate sessions.”
Budget 2022 was tabled yesterday by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
Meanwhile, Ongkili praised Budget 2022, calling it “well-thought out and comprehensive” and focused on the welfare of the people.
He said the federal government was still able to churn out a bigger budget, including allocation for Sabah.
“A RM5.2 billion developmental budget for Sabah and this does not include the operating budget as Tengku Zafrul tabled yesterday.
“Given the financial constraints and reduced revenues, it is a well-thought budget. There is something for everyone.”
Sabah received RM5.1 billion in developmental budget in 2021, about a RM100 million increase for 2022.
Ongkili said the state will also be enjoying other perks in Budget 2022 such as welfare and employment programmes.
Some RM2.4 billion is allocated to benefit 440,000 households under the federal welfare aid next year.
Among others, 9.6 million people will benefit in the Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia assistance outline involving an allocation of RM8.2 billion.
On employment, one of the initiatives included the allocation of RM4.8 billion to create 600,000 jobs under JaminKerja.
“I don't think there is room for complaints about the budget.” – The Vibes, October 30, 2021
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