By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Sept 18: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Youth Central secretary-general Milton Foo believed the tactics used Democratic Action Party (DAP), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition to gain the trust of the people were akin to the story of “The Emperor’s New Clothes”.
He stated that DAP made numerous promises, including pledging to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak as partners in the Federation as provided in Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) when PH attained power but was insincere to include the words “pursuant to the MA63” in the Amendment Bill.
“It is crystal clear that the PH government has tactically short-changed the people of Sabah and Sarawak in proposing an amendment Bill of the Federal Constitution that has no effect in restoring the status of Sarawak as a Federation in Malaysia.
“Without the inclusion of the words ‘pursuant to the MA63’ in the proposed amendment Bill, it reflects the insincerity of the PH government in acknowledging the status of Sabah and Sarawak as a Federation in the formation of Malaysia.
“Such stunt put forth by the PH government is a reanimation of “The Emperor’s New Clothes”,” he said in a statement today.
Foo, who is a lawyer explained that the inclusion of the words “pursuant to MA63” is imminently crucial as such will reflect the intention of MA63 in honouring the rights of Sabah and Sarawak as a Federation in the formation of Malaysia.
However, he said such a proposition was neglected and met with disagreement by the former PH government under the leadership of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Foo added that the co-existence of Article 1 (2) and Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution were indeed contrary to one another.
Thus, he said the stance of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government was that the amendment towards the Federal Constitution must be in line with MA63.
Foo added Article 1(2) and Article 160(2) of the Federal Constitution must be amended in co-existence as the wordings did not refer to MA63 in the full restoration of the rights of Sabah and Sarawak as a Federation of Malaysia.
He said the words “pursuant to MA63” must be included in the amended Article 1(2) and that the interpretation under Article 160(2) must refer to MA63 not the Federation of Malaya Agreement 1957.
If Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution is amended without any amendment made to Article 160 of the Federal Constitution, Foo said such an amendment will be heavily flawed as it will not restore the status of Sarawak as a Federation of Malaysia in accordance with MA63.
Hence, he added the constitutional amendment proposed by the PH government was nothing concrete but just a delusion to entice Sarawakians to believe in them.
Hence, he believed DAP did not honour the promises they made to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak as partners in the Federation as provided in MA63. — DayakDaily
