KOTA KINABALU – The historic passing of the constitutional amendments in Parliament today means that the promise made to Sabah and Sarawak since Malaysia’s formation in 1963 has finally been kept, said Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
The Semporna lawmaker told a press conference in Parliament that all seven Warisan MPs have voted in favour of the bill, saying this was the aspiration of all Malaysians no matter where they are.
“The passing of this bill will allow the terms of the Malaysia Agreement to be realised,” said Shafie.
He added that under the federal constitution, Malaysia would not exist without the original consensus of the three regions – Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia), North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak.
The opposition MP said this is why it is vital to restore the Borneo states to their original status as equals with Peninsular Malaysia in the federation as stated in the federal constitution prior to their 1976 downgrade to normal states – akin to Perak and Selangor instead of the entirety of Peninsular Malaysia.
Shafie said the downgrading of the two Borneo states was in conflict with the consensus reached by the participating states and the federal constitution.
The former Sabah chief minister also reiterated that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Warisan had attempted to pass similar amendments in 2019 but failed after then opposition MPs – Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Umno and PAS – abstained from voting.
A constitutional amendment requires two-thirds support in the Dewan Rakyat.
Given that out of 197 MPs who attended the Dewan Rakyat that day, only 138 MPs voted for the bill while 59 abstained, the then PH government failed to pass their proposed amendments.
“We did not hesitate to support this bill because this is not a political issue and we are trying to get political points,” he said.
Shafie said Warisan had been very vocal during the debate session and raised several matters such as the implementation of the MA63, territorial waters and others.
Meanwhile, Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking said that any future constitutional amendments in relation to Malaysia must be referred to the Malaysia Act.
“Malaysia Act (Act 26) is a reflection of what is inside the Malaysia Agreement 1963. This is what the Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said during the debate session just now,” he said.
Sabah and Sarawak equal to Peninsular Malaysia
Responding to the news, United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau noted that with the passing of the amendment, Sabah and Sarawak are now equal partners with the Federation of Malaya.
The former Sabah deputy chief minister said he voted in support of the amendment of Article 1 (2), Article 160 (2) and Article 161A (7) today.
“This is a historical moment in the development of the Malaysian race,” said the Tuaran MP.
A total of 200 MPs voted in support of the bill while 20 were absent during the second reading of the bill.
A total of 199 MPs supported the bill and 21 were absent at the committee stage.
SUPP wants state rights, increased oil royalties
In Miri, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) hailed the passing of the amendments as a crucial, historic milestone for the two states.
SUPP, which is a component party of the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition, said the achievement was attained through a lot of hard work.
Party information chief Adam Yii told The Vibes that the whole state welcomes the good news.
“This is a historic milestone that will enhance the status of Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysia.
“With this accomplished already, I hope that Parliament can focus on specific topics with regards to the state rights that we have lost over the years.
“For example, in terms of revenue, it should be increased such as oil royalties. The federal and state leaders should look into all these in detail,” he said. – The Vibes, December 14, 2021
Additional reporting by Stephen Then
