Dr Yii kicks the ball to symbolically launch the friendly football match between DAP and PKR. – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Sarawak DAP members of parliament will be closely following up on the federal government’s intention to return the status of Sarawak and Sabah as equal partners in the federation.
Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii said the follow-up is to ensure that the promise made by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the Malaysia Day celebration in Kota Kinabalu will come to pass, and that the people of the two states will regain what was rightfully theirs.
He added that Dr Mahathir’s announcement on the intention to return the status of Sarawak and Sabah was clearly stated in the Pakatan Harapan manifesto, where a Special Cabinet Committee on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) would be formed.
“One of the things that we will look at is the amendment to Article 1 of the Constitution – to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak.
“Basically, Article 1 says the Federation of Malaysia shall comprise Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak, but it was amended in 1976,” he said prior to the start of a friendly football match between DAP and PKR at Stadium Siburan, near here yesterday.
Dr Yii said Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak as a whole would be looking at the restoration of the status of Sabah and Sarawak during the six-month study.
He also said the premier made the announcement on the return of equal status at a most appropriate time – Malaysia Day.
“On this Malaysia Day, our PH government had announced that we will right the wrongs done under the previous Barisan Nasional government and restore what are properly ours.
“We, Sarawak and Sabah, together with Malaya had formed Malaysia,” he said.
Dr Mahathir on Sunday assured that the PH government of the New Malaysia would return equal status to Sabah and Sarawak as enshrined in MA63 when Malaysia was formed 55 years ago.
He said that the status of Sabah and Sarawak, which changed from equal partners (with Malaya) to states within the Federation of Malaysia, would be reverted to the original position once a study on MA63 was completed.
“Reverting the status of Sabah and Sarawak as per MA63 gives a solid foundation to strengthen ties between the three regions (Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak).
“Obviously Sabah and Sarawak’s development needs must be given attention because there are still districts that are backward and lacking in facilities.
“The study on MA63 will certainly raise the need for a review of several practices that were implemented before this,” he was quoted as saying.
On Dr Mahathir’s statement that it needs a two-thirds majority to amend the Constitution, Dr Yii hoped all MPs from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) will support the amendment in parliament.