KUALA LUMPUR: The much-anticipated Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2021 has been tabled for its second reading in the Dewan Rakyat today by Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
The bill, which was tabled for its first reading on Nov 3, among others, seeks to restore Sabah and Sarawak's positions as equal partners in the federation with the peninsular states.
According to the bill, it proposed to amend Article 1 of the Federal Constitution by replacing Clause 2 to say that the states of the Federation comprise of:
(a) the states of Malaya, namely Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Selangor, and Terengganu; and
(b) the Borneo states, namely Sabah and Sarawak.
There would also be an amendment to Article 160(2) of the constitution by adding the definition of Malaysia Day to replace the word "Federation" in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
The bill seeks to amend Article 161A of the constitution by replacing paragraph (a) of Clause 6 with "in relation to Sarawak, a person who is a citizen and belongs to one of the races specified by the state law as indigenous to the state" and to remove Clause 7.
In the Lower House today, Wan Junaidi said the proposed amendments were part of the government's commitment to fulfilling the MA63 which had been agreed upon by Sabah and Sarawak.
He said the amendments were also in line with the government's transformation agenda to restore the confidence of the public as well as foreign investors in the government's capability to ensure political stability and smooth implementation of the country's policies toward sustainable socio-economic development.
"The understanding, as well as the political, economic, and social stability expected to be achieved in Malaysia through this bill, is important in creating a strong foundation for the Malaysian Family," he said.
At the same time, Wan Junaidi also reminded the House that the amendments to the Federal Constitution require two-thirds majority support from the Members of Parliament.
Wan Junaidi said the proposed amendments had been agreed to by both the state governments of Sabah and Sarawak before being approved by the Special Council on MA63 and the cabinet in October.