New proposed amendments to constitution in line with MA63, says Sarawak CM

15 Oct 2021

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KUCHING: Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg hailed the new proposed amendments to Article 1(2) and Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution as more comprehensive and reflect the true spirit and in line with the Malaysian Agreement 1963 (MA63).

He said that the proposed amendments to the definition of “the Federation” under Article 160(2), are crucial and must be done so that the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and its annexures are recognised in the Federal Constitution.

“This amendment would also introduce the definition of “Malaysia Day” which was never before defined and amendment to the definition of “natives” under Article 161A of the Federal Constitution.

“With this amendment, the power to decide which races in Sarawak shall be recognised as being indigenous to the State shall be determined by the State through State laws,” he said, adding that this is the second attempt at amendments of these articles of the Federal Constitution.

He said this after having a courtesy call from Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Deputy Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib today.

The Chief Minister explained that the first attempt in 2019 failed because it did not receive the required two-third majority support of the Members of Parliament.

“The Sarawak Government did not lend its support to the earlier amendment because in our view the amendment was purely cosmetic in nature and did not reflect the special status of Sabah and Sarawak as envisaged in MA63 and its annexed instruments,” he stated.