By Peter Sibon
KUCHING, April 9: Batang Sadong MP Dato Sri Nancy Shukri reiterated that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) was not against amending Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution, but it must not be rushed or forced upon Sarawakians as the recommendations of the Technical Committee looking into the Malaysia Agreement 1963 had not been finalised.
“Let me correct the misconception that GPS rejects the amendment. This is not true because we only received it (Bill) on April 4. So, we need time to discuss and deliberate on it, not in some coffee shop, but we need all the specialities to give us the necessary feedback,” said Nancy when debating the proposed amendment in Parliament today.
Nancy, who is a former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, also told off Lanang MP Alice Lau, who interjected that the previous government had not done enough for Sarawak.
“Let me tell you that we have done a lot. In fact, we have achieved 13 items under the ‘Devolution of Powers’ under the then federal-level steering committee that I co-chaired together with Kimanis MP (Datuk Seri Anifah Aman),” she said.
She reiterated that the needed amendment must be comprehensive in nature so that it would bring the desired development for both Sarawak and Sabah as contained under MA63.
“It has to include the aspirations of the people to hasten the pace of development in Sarawak. At the same time, we want to ensure that the interest of Sarawak and its people are protected,” she added.
Her views were supported by Kapit MP Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi and Batang Lupar MP Datuk Seri Rohani Karim. — DayakDaily
