THE constitutional amendment to restore Sabah and Sarawak’s status as equal partners to the peninsula will be tabled next month, said Chong Chieng Jen.

The deputy domestic trade and consumer affairs minister said a memo has been issued to Pakatan Harapan MPs, asking that they attend the Dewan Rakyat sitting on the two days.

“At the moment, Parliament is debating the royal address, and towards the end of the royal address, Parliament will table the amendment to Article 1(2) of the federal constitution, on April 8 and 9.

“In view of this, we have issued an internal circular to all PH MPs, requesting them to be present on those dates,” the Sarawak PH chairman told reporters in Kuching today.

Putrajaya has agreed to the amendment, seen as a major step towards the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

The amendment needs a two-thirds majority support from the 222 MPs, of which 135 are from PH.

Asked if he has seen the bill, Chong said he has not.

On another matter, the Stampin MP said he backs Permatang Pauh lawmaker Nurul Izzah Anwar’s stand that the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) should be headed by a member of the opposition, as per the PH manifesto.

Nurul Izzah yesterday quit the committee over Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s decision to allow Ronald Kiandee to remain as chairman, despite no longer being in the opposition.

The Beluran MP was appointed as PAC chief when he was with Umno. He is now a Bersatu member.

Dr Mahathir said Kiandee can stay on as chairman because PH’s stand that the post should be held by the opposition is “not institutionalised”.

Chong said the “sudden change” in political movements may have caught the PH administration off guard.

“Give us time to discuss the matter and find a replacement.”

He said he believes that Kiandee is not being immediately replaced as chairman because PAC is in the midst of finalising reports on several hearings and inquiries.

There are “several reports being prepared” and “in the final stages of preparation”, he said.

He said the cabinet will discuss the matter once Dr Mahathir returns from his Pakistan trip.

“We are waiting for the prime minister to return to have that discussion.” – March 23, 2019.