Settle Ma63 Issues And Implement Within A Year Klscah Tells Pm

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The Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) wants Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to prove his commitment to "Keluarga Malaysia" and resolve the long-standing issues surrounding the status of Sabah and Sarawak.
"Following the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the new PM and Pakatan Harapan yesterday, the KLSCAH believes that 'Malaysia, One Family' must be proven to be more than just a slogan by the new PM and his cabinet before Malaysia Day next year.
"That is to say, within one year, through specific bills, policies and implementation, 'Malaysia, One Family' must be proven to be more than just a slogan and the federal government - and the governments of Sabah, Sarawak - must commit themselves to the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and relevant policies," the group said in a statement today.
The amendment to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution proposed by the Harapan government that was defeated in April 2019, had sought to list the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak as one of two territories in Malaysia, which was the original wording in 1963.
This is as opposed to listing them as two of 13 states in Malaysia, an amendment that was made in 1976.
The logic was that the wording would recognise East Malaysia as an equal partner to West Malaysia but the amendment failed after the federal government declined to add an additional reference to the MA63.


"THe KLSCAH believes that Ismail Sabri must submit a constitutional amendment in Parliament within the next six months, by restoring Sabah and Sarawak to the same historical status as Malaya.


"Former PM Muhyiddin Yassin pointed out that Sabah and Sarawak are 'regions' and not 'states' during an official visit to East Malaysia back in April," it said.

The group reminded Malaysians of Harapan's attempt at a constitutional amendment.

"However, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) - the leading coalition in Sarawak - abstained from voting.
"The amendment fell through because it failed to pass the two-thirds majority vote for constitutional amendments. Nowadays, Sabah and Sarawak are 'restored territories' without amendments to the constitution.
"KLSCAH calls on PM to submit a constitutional amendment for the 'Restoration of Sabah and Sarawak as Territories' during the Dewan Rakyat sitting," it said.
It argued that with this amendment, Sabah and Sarawak can have more equitable access to the country’s resource allocation, and protection of rights and interests, including substantive decision-making power and autonomy.
"At the same time, it will reduce the gap between East and West Malaysia, the rich and the poor, as well as the development gap, thus further strengthening a more robust recognition of the Malaysian identity," the KLSCAH claimed. - Mkini

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