KUALA LUMPUR – Chong Chieng Jen (Stampin-PH) called for the proposed constitutional amendments pursuant to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to be followed by the devolution of power over health and education in Sabah and Sarawak.
The Sarawak DAP chief said the constitutional amendments alone would have no meaning, if they do not pave the way for the devolution of power.
“I made a motion in late November to have the devolution of power discussed but sadly, this was rejected,” he said during the debate on the constitutional amendments in the Dewan Rakyat today.
“Why can’t the federal cabinet discuss this? And why not discuss this matter with the East Malaysia states? Why was it rejected?
“Hasn’t Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) been talking about autonomy and more authority over these two matters?”
The second reading of the bill to amend the federal constitution is now being held, with 28 MPs expected to debate over it.
Parliament is seeking to pass amendments to Article 1(2) and Article 160(2), which would put Sabah and Sarawak on equal footing with the Federation of Malaya. It would also redefine the meaning of the word “Federation” to include the reference to MA63.
Chong noted that the same bill had been tabled when Pakatan Harapan (PH) was the federal government in 2019. However, the amendments failed after MPs from GPS, Umno, and PAS abstained from voting.
He said PH will not take revenge over what had happened, and will instead support the bill, adding that the people of Sarawak are far more important than political games.
“This bill came about two years too late. Following the Sheraton Move last year to topple the PH government, the bill is only realised today.
“The amendments are done due to the unjust over-50-year rule of Barisan Nasional – but is this being done now due to the Sarawak election?” queried Chong.
Sarawak voters will be casting their ballots for a new state government on December 18.
Earlier, Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan (Keningau-Sabah Star) said the amendments must be deliberated thoroughly for fear that dissatisfaction would arise in the future from any parties.
According to Kitingan, the formation of Malaysia was not complete with the signing of MA63 on July 9, 1963, in London.
Speaking in reference to the amendment of Article 160(2) to now include MA63, he argued that Malaysia officially came into being on September 16, 1963 – not from the point of signing of the agreement. – The Vibes, December 14, 2021
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