A Sabahan opposition MP today questioned the federal government's decision to postpone a major constitutional amendment, which would have seen the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) acknowledged in the Federal Constitution.
Chan Foong Hin (DAP-Kota Kinabalu) said the proposal already got a nod from the Special Council on MA63 during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob three days ago.
However, yesterday, de facto Law Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar reportedly said the cabinet decided to seek more explanations from the attorney-general on the amendment.
"The Special Council on MA63 conducted a meeting three days ago, and according to Maximus Ongkili, the minister of Sabah and Sarawak affairs in the Prime Minister's Department, the council agreed with the proposed constitutional amendment presented by Wan Junaidi, the law minister.
"Chief Ministers of Sabah and Sarawak were also present during the council’s meeting, which was chaired by Ismail Sabri.
"My question now: who are the ministers in the cabinet that are daring enough to challenge the decision by the MA63 Special Council which comprises not just the PM, but both the CMs of Sabah and Sarawak?
"Why do we even need the attorney-general to further explain the bill which is as clear as daylight with no ambiguity?" Chan (above) asked in a statement.
Originally, Wan Junaidi planned to table the bill in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 26. The Dewan Rakyat is scheduled to convene on Oct 25 and Budget 2022 will be tabled on Oct 29.
Wan Junaidi briefed MPs on the bill earlier this month. It is learned that the bill, among others, will seek to amend Article 160(2).
If the amendment is passed, it will be the first time MA63 is acknowledged in the Federal Constitution.
However, it was not listed on the Dewan Rakyat Order paper published yesterday - which is an agenda for the order of business in the upcoming Dewan Rakyat session.
Wan Junaidi when contacted by Malaysiakini said the cabinet has decided to seek more explanations from the attorney-general on the bill.
He, however, declined to specify when the bill will be tabled. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.