Dr M doesn't blame Sarawak MPs for failed bid to amend constitution

Despite failing to win over Sarawak MPs to support a bill amending the Federal Constitution, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad does not blame them.

Asked whether he thought if Sarawak parliamentarians “sabotaged” the bill that sought to amend Article 1(2) of the constitution, he told reporters, “No, they have their right to vote against whatever. That is their right.”

He was speaking to reporters outside the parliament chambers after the bill was rejectedby the Dewan Rakyat with 138 votes in favour and 59 abstentions, during the second reading of the bill. None voted against the bill.

At least 148 votes, or two-thirds majority, were needed to pass the amendment bill.

However, Mahathir admitted that the outcome of the voting was “not quite” what he expected, as he was hoping for two-thirds of the House to be in favour of it.

Nevertheless, when asked how he felt, Mahathir told reporters he felt “great”, without elaborating.

The prime minister also said there would still be a “third reading” of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019, which he expects to proceed smoothly.

However, this is unlikely as Article 159(3) of the Federal Constitution stipulates that a bill amending the Federal Constitution needs to be passed by a two-thirds majority in both its second and third readings to become law. This applies to both Houses in Parliament.

A Pakatan Harapan source claimed that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), BN, and PAS lawmakers had abstained voting, whereas several opposition MPs from Sabah supported the amendment bill.

In addition, several Harapan lawmakers including Maszlee Malik (Simpang Renggam), Shamsul Iskandar (Hang Tuah Jaya) and Noor Amin Ahmad (Kangar) were not present during the voting.

On the contrary, Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen (above) accused GPS of having letting their egos get in the way by refusing to support the bill, adding that today is a sad day for both Sabah and Sarawak.

“When Sabah has agreed to support this bill, there is no reason for GPS vote against it.

“I think the people of Sarawak now can see clearly that GPS puts their political interest and mileage above the interest of Sarawak,” he said.

De facto law minister Liew Vui Keong, meanwhile, said the government had tried its best to accommodate the opposition’s demands.

“They asked for a select committee to review the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963, and Mahathir has agreed in his speech to form a select committee to review the agreement’s implementation.

“But still they refused to accept it, with their political agenda, and at the same time sidelined the hopes of the people of Sabah and Sarawak in order to satisfy their political agenda.

“I think this decision is unfair and is detrimental to the people. I think those who foiled the amendment bill would be punished by history,” he said.

Asked whether the government would re-table the amendment bill, Liew said that is up to the government to decide.

He also vowed that the government’s efforts to champion the people’s interests would continue, despite this setback.

The Federal Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019 sought to restore Article 1(2) to its wording as of 1963, which is touted to recognise the status of Sabah and Sarawak each being equal to Malayan states as a whole. - Mkini