Note of Editor: The story has been updated for accuracy.
By Lian Cheng, Kadir Edison and Ling Hui
KUCHING, April 1: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg hopes that following the amendment of Article 160 (2) of the Federal Constitution, Sarawak and Sabah may be allocated two-thirds of parliamentary seats.
Abang Johari made known his aspiration to Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at a townhall session held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) in conjunction with the latter’s visit to Sarawak today and tomorrow.
“Sarawak has proposed to amend Article 160(2) in terms of definition interpretation because our (Federal) Constitution is currently based on the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957 (Federation MA57),” said Abang Johari.
He said as the Federation Constitution which was drafted based on the Federation MA57 later has a constitutional effect not only on the Federation of Malaya but also Sarawak which joined the Federation of Malaya (with Sabah) to form Malaysia based on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), amendments needed to be made on Article 160(2) to redefine terms that affect Sarawak’s standing and within Malaysia.
Article 160 of the Federal Constitution defines various terms used in the Constitution.
“So if (Article 160(2) is amended, hopefully we will get two-thirds (of parliamentary seats),” said Abang Johari.
He further added that only with the amendment of Article 160(2), then it will be meaningful to amend Article 2(b) as these amendments are imminent if the MA63 were to be honoured.
“With that alignment, I am sure we can share whatever we have among the three regions of Malaysia. This is the shared prosperity we have among Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak,” said Abang Johari.
He stressed that MA63 is a matter closed to the hearts of Sarawakians and thanked Muhyiddin for setting up a Special Council to look into the affairs of Sarawak and Sabah.
“With negotiations, we can resolve some of the outstanding issues in terms of MA63.
“In fact, Sarawak has tabled recommendations to the Special Committee so that treatment between regions can be more encouraging,” said Abang Johari.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari pledged support for Muhyiddin’s vision to develop Malaysia.
He also took the opportunity to thank the prime minister for agreeing to share more with Sarawak with regards to the revenue derived from oil and gas produced in the State of Kenyalang.
According to MA63, Sarawak joined Federation of Malaya and Sabah to form the Federation of Malaysia where Sarawak joined as a region and not a state within Federation of Malaya.
Should MA63 be honoured, Malaysia’s parliamentary seats should be equally divided into three parts, not as what has been going on now with Sarawak and Sabah being reduced into two states within the 13 states of Malaysia. — DayakDaily
