GABUNGAN Parti Sarawak (GPS) MPs will support the bill to amend Article 1(2) of the federal constitution when its tabled in Parliament.

“Of course (we will support it),” Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg said when asked to comment on Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong’s announcement yesterday that the cabinet had agreed to amend the constitutional provision to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners with the federated Malay states in the peninsula.

Abang Johari said he would also direct GPS MPs – now reduced to 18 after the defection of Sri Aman MP Masir Kujat to the non-aligned but pro-GPS Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) – to vote for the bill.

Article 1(2), which touches on the name, states and territories of the federation, was amended on July 12, 1976 by then prime minister Hussein Onn.

Prior to the amendment, the provision stated that the states of the federation shall be: “(a) the States of Malaya, namely, Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor and Terengganu; and (b) the Borneo States, namely, Sabah and Sarawak and (c) the State of Singapore”.

After the 1976 amendment, it was reworded to “the states of the Federation shall be Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Malacca, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor and Trengganu”.

Liew had said the cabinet decision to amend the constitution at a meeting last Wednesday was a major step towards the implementation and compliance of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

He had said the bill would be tabled some time next week after Parliament reconvenes on March 11.

A two-thirds support is needed to pass the proposed amendment.

The ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) government currently has 135 MPs, including nine from Warisan and one from United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko), its allies in Sabah.

For a two-thirds majority, PH needs the support of 148 MPs.

With GPS’ 18 votes, the total would come to 163 votes. – March 9, 2019.