KOTA KINABALU: The federal government will look into amending several critical constitutional provisions to reinstate or restore the rights of Sabahans and Sarawakians as per the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said this is one of his ministry’s top priorities and targets to get the Bills tabled in Parliament within his initial 100 days’ key performance index (KPI).
“We have already laid out a comprehensive execution plan for this and according to our timeline we are on schedule. We are optimistic of completing this within the 100 days’ deadline,” he said in a press conference after visiting Kota Kinabalu Court Complex yesterday (Oct 2).
Nevertheless, as the Bills would require a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament in order for it to be passed, his efforts required an extensive engagement exercise with key stakeholders, namely, the members of Parliament (MPs) and the people.
“This is basically what I am doing now; making my rounds to see leaders, top government officials in Sabah and Sarawak to explain this to them. This is an important agenda for us and I hope the people of Sabah and Sarawak, regardless of their political views, will support this,” he said.
Wan Junaidi was in Sabah to engage with the state government and a few known claimants for Sabah rights group on the proposed first phase of Constitutional amendments.
He said that he was optimistic the current government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, is committed in the development of Sabah and Sarawak — a priority area under 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP)
He said this served as the much-awaited political will to push through transformation agenda of these two states, which would accelerate development and help improve the quality of life of the people.
“The hard truth is, even after having achieved independence for 58 years, more than 40 percent of the people in Borneo are still living in rural areas, lacking basic facilities and infrastructure namely connectivity, communication, electricity, education as well as healthcare.
“I hope under the 12MP, more development and progress would take place in Sabah and Sarawak so that we will be able to enjoy the same facilities and infrastructure as the people in Semenanjung,” he added.
Wan Junaidi explained that his ministry, as part of its 100-day key performance index (KPI), was focusing on transformation initiatives in the government, parliament and examine the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
The four main areas of focus to be undertaken are to complete the process to table a Bill of limitation on the Prime Minister’s tenure to 10 years; to complete the process to table a Bill to allow the appointment of a third deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker; and to complete the process to table some of the critical Bills to look into the rights of people in Sabah and Sarawak under MA63.
