Press Statement by Kelvin Yii:
I am dissapointment that the Opposition, including those of UMNO, PAS and even Sarawak MPs from GPS tried to delay the significant amendment that would have restored the rightful status of Sabah and Sarawak in the Federation of Malaysia.
This amendment is very significant, because the first Constitutional Amendments intended to be done by the new Federal Government is to restore the initial spirit and rightful status of Sabah and Sarawak in the Federation of Malaysia.
The opposition attempted to delay the amendments by belittling the amendments by saying that it’s too superficial and does not reflect the proper status as well as our lost rights over the years.
It has to be emphasised that this is a first step to restore our rightful status and not the only step that has to be taken to correct all the wrong that was done under the previous government.
The bill tabled in parliament is in line with original MA63 as it reverts Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to its original spirit during the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, excluding Singapore. This can be seen as a restoration to the original spirit of the agreement of the formation of Malaysia envisioned by our forefathers.
Once our rightful recognition is being restored, we then approach other discussions and future amendments not just as part of the 13 states in Malaysia, but on the platform of our rightful status in the Federation.
While i do believe in the need for more clarification and specifics especially regarding the relationship between the different territories in the Federation, but such arrangements and discussions are ongoing in the MA63 Special Cabinet committee that is drafting a report for the cabinet which is estimated to be ready by June.
The specifics will be contained in that report that has the input of not just politicians from 1 divide, but also the State Government of Sabah and Sarawak, legal minds including judges and state Attorneys, academians and also activist.
Therefore, i would like to emphasise that this is only the first step, albeit a significant and important first step, but not the only step to be taken to restore our rights that have been lost over the years. Thus there is no reason to delay this amendment as the main intention of this Bill is to restore it to the original spirit, not to correct all wrongs that have been done over the years under the previous administration.
Clearly the opposition MPs are merely playing politics to block the very significant first step, which is rather disappointing. The interest of Sarawak has to be prioritised and more amendments and correction will be done, but we must allow ourselves to make that very first step.
Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen
MP for Bandar Kuching
