GPS yet to decide on backing the constitutional amendment

Putrajaya has never briefed Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) on the proposal to amend the Federal Constitution to make Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia equal partners.

This is according to GPS secretary-general Alexander Nanta Linggi (photo, above), who raised concern about the constitutional amendment that is expected to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Alexander said the Sarawak ruling coalition has yet to make up its mind on whether to support the constitutional amendment.

He said GPS can only back Putrajaya's motion after it is satisfied that this proposed constitutional amendment will truly benefit the Borneo state and its people.

"We will have a look. If it is good for us, we will support," he said.

In its general election manifesto released in March 2018, Pakatan Harapan had pledged to return Sabah and Sarawak to the status accorded by the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), in which all states are to be on par.

The MA63 steering committee, which was formed to come out with its recommendations on this in six months, conducted its first meeting in December 2018.

On March 1 this year, the cabinet agreed to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to make the two Borneo states equal partners in the federation.

"There is more than the Federal Constitution that we are looking at," said Alexander, adding that Putrajaya had all this while neglected equal funding to all states, which is enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

"We want to wait until the steering committee on MA63 comes out with its findings and recommendations

"More important are the details in the MA63, the inter-governmental committee report (IGC) and the Cobbold Commission Report. In these lie the details of how things should be implemented," the Kapit MP added.

"We want to look at the proposed amendment before it is tabled, so that we will understand what is going to be tabled. If you want our support, discuss with us first," he said.

In his debate on the royal speech to Parliament on March 25, Alexander said he might not support the constitutional amendment without the consent of the Sarawak state government and the state legislative assembly.

Currently, Harapan has 135 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat, including nine from Warisan and one from Upko. It needs the backing of at least 148 MPs (two-thirds of the 222 MPs) to pass an amendment to the Federal Constitution. - Mkini