Warisan disappointed with deferment of MA63 Bill

23 Oct 2021

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan has expressed deep disappointment over the government's decision to postpone the tabling of the bill to amend the Federal Constitution to be in line with the relevant provisions of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Its president, Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal said putting the bill on hold was a big letdown.

“This is especially for people in Sabah and Sarawak who had been widely anticipating its second tabling after it failed to get the two-thirds majority support in Parliament in 2019 to amend Clause 2, Article 1 of the Constitution,” he said this in a statement on Friday.

He stressed that the bill was not included in the List of Order Papers for the 2nd Meeting Of The 4th Session Of Fourteenth Parliament (2021) from 25 Oct 2021 - 16 Dec 2021.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had said it was expected to be tabled in Parliament by end of this month.

He said the matter had already been meticulously studied and despite having been discussed during the premiership of the last four prime ministers of Malaysia, it still remained unresolved.

“The party, however, commended Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar for his commitment and efforts in pursuing the issue.

"He worked hard to make sure everything was in order for tabling in Parliament but unfortunately the cabinet has suddenly decided to seek more explanation from the attorney-general.

"It is important to support MA63 because it is well within the interest of the people and country," said Shafie.