Press Statement By Chong Chieng Jen:
To restore the “territory” status of Sarawak as enshrined in MA63, there must be an amendment to the Federal Constitution Article 1(2), not by the mere media announcement of Muhyiddin when he visited Sarawak on 1-4-2021 (the April Fool Day).
On 9-4-2019, the then Pakatan Harapan (PH) Government tabled the Constitution amendment bill to restore the status of Sarawak and Sabah as territories in Malaysia by amending the present Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to its original form and wording at the time of formation of Malaysia which reflects the spirit of MA63.
When the amendment bill was put to vote in Parliament, the 18 Sarawak GPS Members of Parliament refused to support the Bill, thus defeating the Bill. As a result, Sarawak remains one of the 13 States in Malaysia.
Therefore, it is hypocritical of the GPS now, in light of the impending Sarawak State Elections, to try to resurrect this issue during the 2-day visit of Muhyiddin in Sarawak yesterday.
We, PH Sarawak, hereby call upon Muhyiddin to immediately convene Parliament to table the Constitutional Amendment Bill for the restoration of status of Sarawak and Sabah in the Federation as envisaged in Malaysia Agreement 1963.
We, PH Sarawak, in today’s meeting have also resolved that all PH Sarawak Members of Parliament will support such Constitutional amendment to restore the original version of Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution.
In addition, as national vice chairman of DAP and on behalf of all DAP Members of Parliament, I hereby assure Muhyiddin of all the 42 DAP MPs’ support for such constitutional amendment should he table the Bill in Parliament.
With the current 112 MPs supporting the PerikatanNasional(PN) Government, plus the 42 DAP MPs and 1 Sarawak PKR MP (MP for Miri), it is beyond doubt that the Constitutional amendment will have the threshold 148 MP support in the House.
The ball is now at PN Government and GPS’ court. Convene Parliament sitting and table the Constitutional Amendment Bill. Do not merely pay lip service on the restoration of Sarawak’s status as a bait for vote. That is insulting and degrading the spirit of MA63 which forms our country.
3-4-2021
Chong Chieng Jen
Pakatan Harapan Sarawak Chairman
