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SANDAKAN: The opposition and people must understand why the Pakatan Harapan government insists on the presentation of the Bill to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law) Datuk Liew Vui Keong (pic). 

Liew presented the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019 for first reading before Dewan Rakyat speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof last Thursday.

He said many people, including opposition leaders, voiced dissatisfaction through the media and social media when the Bill was presented for first reading.

“They are angry, as if I did not make a preliminary study on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which is not a new issue,” he said.

“If they (opposition) sincerely strive for this, why didn’t they voice it out when they were in power?

“I hope the people of Sabah and Sarawak will be wise to evaluate this because it is not just for Pakatan Harapan but for the long-term future of the people,” said Liew, who is also Batu Sapi Member of Parliament, at a press conference in his office, here, Saturday.

He said the Bill would be tabled for second reading at the current sitting.

Liew said the amendments, among others, were made in line with the spirit of the MA63.

“It also aims to fulfil the aspirations and expectations of the Sabah and Sarawak state governments, as well as the people of both states, in line with the status of the three state entities,” he said.

Initially, Singapore, with Sabah and Sarawak, were in the Federation together with 11 states in Peninsular Malaysia (states of Malaya) before Singapore exited in 1965, leaving Sabah, Sarawak and the 11 states in the peninsula.

Liew questioned why at the start of the MA63 formation there were no opposition representatives who voiced objection instead of two support pieces earned.

“Now, recently, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan opposed the Pakatan Harapan’s wish on the matter,” he said.

In this regard, Liew asked Jeffrey why only spoke now and not at the time of the former government.

Liew urged the people and all wise leaders to evaluate their rational presentation in this matter in Parliament rather than deliberately delaying it with the same issue.

He said the people could also connect with their parliamentarians to voice their voices in Parliament on this issue or other issues so that they could be heard in Parliament.