Amending Article 160 (2) easier if PN wins big in GE15, says PM

Muhyiddin is seen seated while waiting for the commencement of the townhall session at BCCK today (April 1, 2021).

By Ling Hui and Cornelius Kadir Edison

KUCHING, April 1: More than two-thirds majority for Perikatan Nasional (PN) government in the upcoming 15th General Election will make it easier to amend Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution based on MA63.

Though the need for the amendment is acknowledged by the federal government, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the actual amendment would be difficult without the concurrent support of the rest of the Members of Parliament (MPs).

“Just tell Sarawak, we acknowledge that, but if it really requires the amendment of the Federal Constitution, the government this year, we will not be able to do that without the concurrent support of the rest of the MPs.

“But if it’s after the general election and we can win big with more than two-thirds majority, it will be an easy route for us to do that with as much speed as we can.

“You take my word for that,” he promised when speaking during the townhall session at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.

He was responding to yet another request from Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg in his earlier speech highlighting the current Federation Constitution is based on the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957 (Federation 1957).

Concerning the amendment of Article 160(2), Abang Johari added, the amendment to Article 2(b) would be meaningful as these amendments are imminent if the MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963) is to be honoured. ā€” DayakDaily