KOTA KINABALU: Pakatan Rakyat has suggested that a full review, research and discussion on the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and Malaysia Agreement 1963 by experts without underestimating the efforts of previous leaders when they decided to form the country half a century ago.
The issue of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and Malaysia Agreement 1963 had been discussed in East Malaysia where it should not be debated by Sabahans and Sarawakians only, but also by the people in the Peninsular Malaysia, Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar said at a public forum on ‘Autonomy and the Future of Sabah’ organized by Persatuan Warisan Budaya Bumiputera Sabah.
“There will be no changes if we cannot convince the people of Malaysia that this country belongs to all of us. Discussions on this issues should be comprehensive by including all Malaysians. Malaysians mean the people of Sabah, Sarawak and peninsula.
“Any great local party will not be successful to understand the principle of justice and federation without a comprehensive discussion,” he said.
Anwar stressed that the real battle was not about Sabah against Semenanjung but Sabah against corrupt leaders be it from Sabah or the peninsula.
The main point, he said, was having a good governance.
“I know about the sentiment where people are questioning the wrongdoings of Kuala Lumpur (to Sabah) but do not tell me Sabah did not do any wrongs. However, it is not the issue. We are looking at a bigger picture now.
“Previous leaders such as Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Fuad Stephens saw the need of Sabah. They were confident that it (formation of Malaysia) was the best formula for the safety, better economy and welfare of the people. I salute them for their service and trust,” he said.
Asked whether there was a need to draft a new constitution on top of the existing constitution (the existing constitution is the Federation of Malaya constitution which was elevated as the Federation of Malaysia constitution), Anwar said the Malaysia Agreement 1963 incorporates the requirements of the Cobbold Commission of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
“The fundamentals of the Malaysian Constitution are universal such as freedom of expression, issue of law, rights, that is quite clear and I don’t think Sabahans want to question that.
“But what is important now is to allow for a review. That’s what I am saying. Let the experts recommend and discuss the issues. Requesting for a new constitution is a general statement. What we need now is a review and looking at the provision, where do we need to revise, why do we need to do that and get the consensus.
“In view of the suggestion, to simply alter the definition of Article 160 which defines the term Federation, why should we insist on one provision, people are complaining that the review of the constitution, not just Article 160, I’m suggesting a whole review of the constitution,” he added.
On a suggestion to change the definition from Federation 1957 to Federation 1963, Anwar reiterated that there is no need to underestimate the importance of people like Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Fuad Stephens during that time.
“I take a different view. They had complete trust for each other but now after half a century, if we want, we can review as most countries did.
“Even Germany after the unity of east and west, they had a full review of the constitution and also the South Africa.
In terms of giving Sabah and Sarawak a bigger number of seats in the Parliament, it should be reviewed to get what is considered to be a fair representation.
“We must allow for a full review and get what is considered to be a fair representation. More naturally, this can be discussed but I am not in a position to say about it. We must have a panel to review. People have to understand because now people are too simplistic,” he concluded.
About 300 PKR members and PR supporters attended the half-day forum.