KUCHING: Federal Constitution amendments restoring Sarawak’s rights in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) were spotlighted by political parties as campaigning for the Sarawak state election has hit the final stretch.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the ruling state coalition had been fighting for the amendments to protect and uphold Sarawak’s rights. In particular, the caretaker Chief Minister said Article 160(2) has now been amended to define “the federation” as one established by MA63.
“Other than the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957, the definition includes MA63 and its annexed instruments, the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report. This now becomes part of the Federal Constitution’s content. For us in Sarawak, this is the spirit that we want the constitution to have,” he told reporters yesterday.
On Tuesday, Parliament approved the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2021 in relation to MA63 with the required two-thirds majority support, as all 199 MPs present voted in favour and none against.
GPS’ Tupong candidate Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman hoped that more state rights which had been eroded over the years would now be restored following the passing of the constitutional amendments.
“After this, the state government can demand the rights enshrined in MA63 and the IGC Report,” he said.
Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said with the MA63 amendments now passed in Parliament, it was vital for voters to elect a strong Opposition in this Saturday’s polls to provide check and balance.
“With Sarawak’s equal partner status, we can expect to have more federal funding and devolution of power. With that comes greater responsibility and also risk of abuse. This is why voters must ensure GPS will not have a clean sweep in the upcoming election,” he said.
DAP’s Batu Kawah candidate Kelvin Yii said a power devolution blueprint should be formulated to ensure autonomy would truly be returned to Sarawak and Sabah.
“The passing of the MA63 amendment is the first step for Sarawak to restore what is rightfully ours.Following this, a comprehensive plan of action and timeline towards meaningful devolution of power must be drawn up. This plan should outline key milestones within the next five to 10 years, along with a periodic review of the progress made,” he said.
In Kota Kinabalu, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the constitutional amendments were “historic and path-breaking” for Sabah and Sarawak, and the nation as a whole.
“Prior to this, the rights and privileges of both states could only be referred to as pre-constitutional documents, not as constitutional rights.
“With the amendments, all pre-constitutional documents can now be directly cited as legal and constitutional because they were all appendices of the Malaysia Act and Malaysia Agreement,” he said.