Pix by BERNAMA
KOTA BELUD: Sabah has thanked the federal government over the move to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution making Sabah and Sarawak equal partners with the Peninsula.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said the matter was one of Parti Warisan Sabah’s pledge in the 14th General Election to ensure what was contained in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 could be realised.
"There are matters which have yet to be implemented, including the amendment involving Article 1(2) as was announced by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong recently
"We hope the tabling of the amendment (in Dewan Rakyat) which was approved by the cabinet would be implemented. We thank the Federal government," he said after attending a gathering with the people here today.
Also present was Deputy Chief Minister, Datuk Jaujan Sambakong; Deputy Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment minister Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis; Tamapasuk State Assemblyman, Datuk Musbah Jamli and Kota Belud Warisan chief Hanjan Samit.
Last Friday, Liew announced that the government had agreed to amend Article 1 (2) of Federal Constitution to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners with Peninsular Malaysia.
He said the matter would be tabled by the Technical Work Committee for Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in Parliament this week.
Shafie who is also the Warisan President said one of the reasons behind the party’s establishment was to demand the rights of the Sabah people as contained in MA63.
“We had voiced out what we wanted and we, as well as the people, want to see Sabah as a territory, not as it is today. We are not against the Federal Constitution but only want the MA63 to be implemented.
"In addition, in line with today's demands, especially in terms of development, we feel that the five per cent oil royalty needs to be changed. It's now 2019 and not 1975 or 1976. We need sufficient allocation for development.
"This is part of our demands and which we in Warisan will continue to voice out until we are successful. We do not want to just implement CSR programmes (corporate social responsibility) but we want more royalty for the benefit of the people in the state," he said. .
Beluran federal lawmaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee meanwhile said Sabah must not be treated as the 13th state and its position in the Federation must be interpreted properly.
He said Sabah was left behind in terms of development compared to other states in the peninsula as the state’s status in the federation was not properly translated before this.
"If amendment is made (to Article 1 (2) of the Federal Constitution) and in terms of distribution, it remains the same, then the amendment will not bring a difference. We want the state to benefit from its new position,” he said.
"As an elected representative from Sabah, I will definitely support the government’s effort to make amendments to ensure Sabah is respected, no matter which bloc I am, be it opposition or independent,” said Kiandee, who is former Umno member.
Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri meanwhile said that it was confident that the amendment would get the two-thirds Dewan Rakyat support it needs, including from lawmakers in Sabah and Sarawak.
For the amendment to be adopted it would require at least 148 of the Dewan Rakyat members to back it.
Party president Datuk Henrynus Amin described the federal cabinet’s move on the matter as a monumental victory for all Malaysians.
He said there should be a federal follow-up action to fully implement the terms of the MA63, otherwise the constitutional amendment will be nothing more than mere cosmetic changes and a hollow victory.
"With the constitutional amendment, Sabahans are keenly expecting federal action to respect and restore Sabah and Sarawak's rights on oil and gas resources.
"This would include Sabah's right on 40 per cent federal revenue as provided for by the Federal Constitution," he said.