KUCHING: The Amendment Bill of Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution must meet the aspirations and wishes of the people of Sabah and Sarawak.
Political analyst Dr Jeniri Amir said the proposed amendment did not achieve that and he believed there is strong reason why Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) MPs disagreed with it.
“If it is just for the sake of amendment, and does not restore Sabah and Sarawak to its original status then there is no significant to it.
“The first reading of the Amendment Bill was rather ‘cosmetic’ in the sense,” he told New Sarawak Tribune, yesterday.
Jeniri, who is also University Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) associate professor, stressed Pakatan Harapan (PH) government needs to be more transparent in laying out the contents of the amendment.
“The amendment must be done accordingly in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“And the rights and autonomy of Sabah and Sarawak need to be reflected,” he pointed out.
He hoped during the second reading of the Bill which is to be tabled next Tuesday, will be debated by both sides professionally.
“It is hoped to see also lawmakers from Sabah and Sarawak will put forward their ideas,” he said.
As Sarawak and Sabah is under the Federal system, Jeniri stated both the Sarawak and Federal governments have to work together and ensure that equality must be returned.
