History will record who rejected constitutional amendment, warns Liew
De facto Law Minister Liew Vui Keong warned today that history will judge lawmakers who did not support the government’s bid to amend the constitution and restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak.
"History will record down those who rejected the bill," he said during a press conference in Parliament today...
De facto Law Minister Liew Vui Keong warned today that history will judge lawmakers who did not support the government’s bid to amend the constitution and restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak.
"History will record down those who rejected the bill," he said during a press conference in Parliament today.
The Federal Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019, tabled by Prime Minister Dr Mahatahir Mohamad yesterday, was part of the Pakatan Harapan government's effort to restore the original status of Sabah and Sarawak as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
The amendment would have specified all the constituent states of the federation by restoring, with modifications, the position of Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution during the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
Read more: 'Slow down or hasten the process?' - 'Confused' PM on Harapan's pledges
When asked to comment on criticisms that the amendments were cosmetic, Liew said this was tantamount to labelling MA63 geographical as well.
“That is their opinion. With the amendments we made, we stated that the Federation of Malaysia comprises the states of Malaya and the states of Borneo," he said.
“So we return to 1963. Can they say today that what happened in 1963 (when Malaysia was formed) was also just geographic?
“I did not create this myself... How can it be cosmetic (changes)? So you (critics) are blaming your forefathers, is it?”
Opposition leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob had reportedly criticised the amendment bill, saying it lacked even a mention of MA63.
Ismail also called bill was “cosmetic,” as it merely stated the geographical positions of the states, instead of clearly defining the status of Sabah and Sarawak as regional territories or being among the founding countries.
Other Umno lawmakers said the bill failed to address the real issues facing Sabah and Sarawak, and was tabled without adequate consultation of relevant stakeholders.
After being tabled for second reading yesterday, the bill failed to make it past bloc voting, being 10 votes short of garnering the required two-thirds support.
In the end, 138 MPs supported the amendment, with none rejecting and 59 abstaining.
Even so, Liew stated that the Special Cabinet Committee on MA63 would continue to discuss amendments to Article 1(2).
He also said it was still possible for the bill to be retabled in the future, but that it would depend on “the will” of the minister in charge to obtain cabinet approval.
“So it has to wait until the next minister, who has the heart and passion for these things,” he said.
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