“Contrary to what Najib claims, he and the whole of Barisan Nasional did not support an amendment to the Federal Constitution of Malaysia that would have restored the original status of Sabah and Sarawak pursuant to terms under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement. Here’s the proof…”
Raggie Jessy Rithaudeen
بوقتي كوكوه نجيب، بن منيڤو رعيت سابه برهوبوڠ رانچڠن منوروتي ڤرجنجين مليسيا
The long-standing issue of Sabah and Sarawak being equal partners with the Peninsular of Malaysia can only be resolved if Sabahans boot both Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional out from the north-eastern Borneo state for good.
Ever since Barisan Nasional first set foot in Sabah and Sarawak, leaders of the coalition refused to entertain demands by locals that the status of the two states be restored pursuant to terms under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement.
It was only after Barisan Nasional fell during the 14th general election that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad agreed to the drafting of a bill proposing an amendment to the Federal Constitution so as to restore the original status of the states.
The proposal, among others, was to amend Article (1)2 of the Federal Constitution which the late Tun Hussein Onn amended and to grant Sabah and Sarawak a greater share of oil revenue.
For the record, Hussein’s manoeuvre was part of a larger package of amendments affecting some 45 articles and 2 schedules of the Federal Constitution that removed distinctions between states in the Peninsular of Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
It was argued that the manoeuvre resulted in greater uniformity between the eastern and western regions of Malaysia and contravened terms under the Malaysia Agreement.
But Hussein successfully pulled off the stunt and got away scot free, thanks to some political favours and manoeuvrings that resulted in Members of Parliament from the East agreeing to whatever he said.
When the issue cropped up again during the administration of Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, nothing was done, apart from the occasional “media dressing” and promises that “we will look into the matter.”
It was only after Mahathir began talking about possible amendments to the Federal Constitution did Najib suddenly announce that his administration had “no intention and right to take anything that rightfully belongs to Sabah and its people as provided for in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).”
That was in November 2017, five months ahead of the 14th general election.
Three months later, Najib had yet to do anything and spoke only of “plans to set up a high-level committee to discuss the matter.”
In contrast, by March 2019, barely a year after coming into power, Mahathir stayed true to his word and met representatives from the Sabah and Sarawak governments to discuss possible amendments to the Federal Constitution.
Although some issues were unresolved, Minister of Law in the Prime Minister’s Department, Liew Vui Keong, announced that the cabinet had agreed to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution and that the amendment would be tabled in parliament on the 11th of March 2019.
On the 4th of April 2019, a bill proposing an amendment to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia was finally tabled in the Dewan Rakyat.
However, despite six hours of debate during the second reading of the bill, on 9th of April 2019, only 138 MPs supported the bill, 10 short of the two-thirds required for amendments to the Federal Constitution.
Do you know why?
Because 16 Members of Parliament were absent, 8 did not participate and 59 abstained from voting, including all UMNO, MCA and MIC Members of Parliament.
Yes, even Najib.
And to think that Najib told Malaysians that Barisan Nasional could not accomplish its mission to “return the rights of Sabahans and Sarawakians” because the coalition lost the 14th general election.
What a liar.
NOTA: SAYA MEMBUAT PENGUMUMAN-PENGUMUMAN PENTING DARI MASA KE SEMASA EKSKLUSIF MENERUSI SALURAN TELEGRAM BERIKUT:
