By Nancy Nais and Karen Bong
KUALA LUMPUR, April 9: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has tabled an amended Amendment to Federal Constitution Article 1(2) Bill 2019 for second reading in Parliament.
In the second reading, the two changes he proposed on the Bill is firstly to insert “States of Malaya” (Negeri-Negeri Tanah Melayu) before Johore and secondly to insert “The Borneo States” before Sabah.
The proposed Amendment to Federal Constitution Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution as read out by Dr Mahathir is shown as follows:-
“1. The Federation shall be known, in Malay and English, by the name Malaysia.
2. The States of the Federation shall be –
a. The. States of Malaya, namely Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor and Terengganu; and
b. the Borneo States, namely Sabah and Sarawak.”
To make comparison, the Bill tabled on April 4 by de-facto Law Minister Datuk Liew Vui Keong for the first reading is as below:-
“(2) The States of the Federation shall be –
a. Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Selangor and Terengganu.
b. Sabah and Sarawak.”
The description attached stated that the Bill proposes to replace the old amendment with the new one where all states to return to its original status to the time when Malaysia was formed in 1963.
In the explanatory statement attached to the Bill, it was stated that “the amendment is made in line with the spirit of Malaysia Agreement concluded in 1963. It satisfies the aspiration and hope of the State Governments of Sabah and Sarawak, and all people of Sabah and Sarawak. This amendment does not in any way, alter the functions of the Federal and State Governments under the concept of federalism”.
To provide a clearer comparison between the two Bills, the following is Article 1(2) as in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63):-
“(1) The Federation shall be known, in Malay and in English, by the name Malaysia.
(2) The States of the Federal shall be –
a. the States of Malaya, namely, Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor and Trengganu; and
b. the Borneo States, namely, Sabah and Sarawak; and
c. the State of Singapore.
(3) The territories of each of the States mentioned in Clause (2) are the territories therein immediately before Malaysia Day.” — DayakDaily
