By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 17: Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Central Publicity and Information Secretary, Adam Yii Siew Sang, voiced concerns over Project for Stability and Accountability for Malaysia’s (Project Sama) recent proposal to the federal government, which advocates for constitutional amendments to increase the number of senators for Sabah and Sarawak by 15 each.
Yii, who is also Pujut assemblyman, expressed his belief that the proposal demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which played a crucial role in the formation of Malaysia, as well as a limited comprehension of the nation’s legislative system.
“Anyone with a basic understanding of the legislative system knows that the Dewan Negara cannot completely block the passage of a bill, but can only delay its implementation.
“If the Dewan Rakyat passes a bill and it is presented to the Dewan Negara for more than a month without approval, it can still be submitted to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for royal assent,” he said in a statement.
Yii pointed out that if the bill is not related to finance or taxation, the Dewan Negara can only delay its passage for up to a year, underscoring that the Upper House does not possess veto power.
In the context of Malaysia Day celebrations, Yii emphasised that Sarawak’s desire is simply to restore the powers that were stipulated during the formation of the federation, reclaiming Sarawak’s rightful sovereignty.
“Describing Sarawak’s efforts as a grab for federal power shows a lack of understanding of MA63 and disrespect for history,” he asserted.
He also asserted that simply increasing the number of senators from Sabah and Sarawak in the Dewan Negara does not give them veto power over bills.
“To obtain veto power in the legislative system, the only way is to increase the number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak in Dewan Rakyat to more than one-third or 35 per cent,” he added.
“Of course, if the federal government is willing to simultaneously increase the number of Sarawak’s senators, that would be a welcomed gesture.”
He reiterated that the goal of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is clear and unequivocal—to restore Sarawak’s rights under MA63, nothing more and nothing less.
Yii further urged critics to take this opportunity during Malaysia Day celebrations to deepen their understanding of the country’s history and the formation of Malaysia. — DayakDaily
