Abang Johari Tun Openg
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said it was a case of “mishandling” on the part of the secretariat pertaining to the tabling of the amendment to Article 1 (2) of the Federal Constitution in Parliament.
He said the mishandling resulted in Members of Parliament (MPs) from Parti Gabungan Sarawak (GPS) not having a good understanding of the amendment.
“Initially, it was okay, but things were not done the way we expected, and I think there was a weakness by the secretariat in dealing with it.
“If there has been good handling on the part of the secretariat, then we would have a very strong sort of platform of understanding, then the wordings (on the amendment) can be better,” the chief minister told reporters today.
He earlier officiated at the closing of the Certified Integrity Oficers (CeIO) programme at the Old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex.
He stressed that his submission regarding the amendment to Article 1 (2) of the Federal Constitution had always been within the perimeters of the constitution and Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He assured that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was very serious and sincere in bringing about change and restoring MA63.
The amendment to Article 1 (2) of the Federal Constitution on April 9 at the current Parliament session was not passed after it failed to get a two-thirds majority vote.
Of the total 221 MPs, the amendment received 138 votes in favour of it, while non objected to it but 59 abstained from voting.