KUCHING: A Sarawak NGO has voiced concern over the proposed amendment to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution, which promises “territory” status to the state and Sabah.
Questioning the definition of “territory”, the Sarawak Association for Peoples’ Aspirations (Sapa) said Sarawak and Sabah MPs must make sure the amendment is well considered and debated in Parliament.
Its president, Dominique Ng, said they must not be too happy with this “territory” status.
“Don’t think that ‘territory’ is bigger than ‘state’.
“Labuan and Kuala Lumpur are territories of the federation.
“The Federal Territories may have some seats but they do not have any autonomy and are totally controlled by the federation,” he said at a press conference here today.
Ng said the Sarawak and Sabah MPs must not vote for the amendment if it falls short of their expectations.
“We would rather reject the amendment than to allow it to crystallise our position in the federation.”
He said Sarawak MPs had not been given sufficient time to analyse and receive proper legal advice on the amendment before its first reading, expected tomorrow.
There should be a consensus among Sabahans and Sarawakians before any amendment is carried out to an article of the constitution that would affect their future, Ng added. - FMT
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