Ma63 Ph Government In A Fix

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IT'S a blow to Pakatan Harapan government. Their failure in securing a two-third majority vote in amending the Federal Constitution to allow Sabah and Sarawak becoming equal partners to the Peninsula under MA63, is indeed a setback.

The intriguing fact is, there were even some MPs who simply did not attend the crucial voting at the Parliament. It's an embarrassing moment for Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad whose expectation went down the drain.

It reveals how the government failed in formulating a strategy of uniformity among its Members of Parliament, including those whom they call 'friends' from Sabah and Sarawak, in staging a strong reform to the MA63. This includes its failure to refer the matter to the Parliament Select Committee. How come?

Dr M and his Cabinet also did not detail out the amendment to their friends in Sabah and Sarawak, bulldozing everybody, hoping that the two states might just endorse it. Not to mention the Opposition bench.

Simply because it was done in a haste, in a manner which saw the government was at all ready for it. This is where their sincerity comes to question. Sabah and Sarawak governments were partially left out when Putrajaya worked on its details.

I guess it is reflected in most policies PH introduced, without proper study and inclusive engagement with respective parties and without merits.

Some even say their failure in securing the two-third majority is tantamount to a no-confidence vote against the current regime because nothing sort of this had ever happened, notably when comes to the Constitution.

It also proves how most MPs - PH or BN - had to really consider the impact of Constitutional amendment to the country and the rakyat. Any amendments have to undergo thorough study first before it is set for two-third vote.

How fragile the government is. Ironically it is led by a 22-year premier!

However, we can understand this. As being part of PH GE14 manifesto, it was done somehow or rather just for the sake of fulfilling it. Being chummy to Sabah and Sarawak is now making pay a high price for it.

Under the Barisan Nasional government, any amendments to the Federal Constitution took a longer time to reach the Parliament. All aspects were looked into but under PH, it happened only in a month or two.

So, what's next? How are they going to convince Sabah and Sarawak again? By erecting a bridge across the China sea or an undersea tunnel linking the Peninsula and East Malaysia?

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