KUCHING: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii expressed hope that politics will be put aside when the federal government re-tables the amendment to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution in March next year.
He stressed that the constitutional amendment is not a partisan issue, in that Putrajaya intends to right the wrong of the last amendment in 1976 and restore the rightful status of Sarawak and Sabah.
“I really hope the opposition can put aside politics because it’s not a partisan issue.
“From that first step, we believe and are optimistic that the grievances can be addressed individually, and Sabah and Sarawak will have equitable share in prosperity,” he told reporters here yesterday.
Dr Yii was commenting on the statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong who on Tuesday said that the re-tabling of the proposed amendment was agreed in a three-way meeting between Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal and Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He added the three parties had agreed in principle to the proposed amendment during the meeting, which was held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya on Monday.
“That is why we are going to table it in March 2020, and we hope it will get through this time for the good of Sabah and Sarawak.”
Dr Yii said the federal government in April this year had intended to table the constitutional amendment, but was not successful due to the opposition.
However, he said the fact that the federal government intended to re-table the amendment through the discussions in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Steering Committee showed that Putrajaya was sincere in returning the rights of the two Borneo states.
“This shows the sincerity of the federal government in correcting the historical and economic grievances. I hope the amendment would also address other issues that were discussed in the MA63 Steering Committee because from what we were informed, out of 21 issues that were raised, 17 were resolved.
“Regardless of what happened in the past, we want to make sure to restore what is rightfully for Sabah and Sarawak,” he added.
Asked on the details of the amendment, Dr Yii said it was not his position to reveal anything.
“It is still being discussed between the prime minister and Abang Johari with his team from the state government, and Sabah Chief Minister and his state government team,” he said.