A KEY member of the Sarawak committee on the Malaysia Agreement 1963, today questioned why there is a veil of secrecy over the bill to amend the constitution so that Sabah and Sarawak’s status in the federation is restored.

Abdul Karim Hamzah asked why the Pakatan Harapan government is resorting to unparliamentary practices to keep the bill to amendment Article 1(2) under wraps.

Karim is on a bipartisan state committee to advise the Sarawak government on the ongoing three-party discussions for full compliance of MA63.

Article 1(2) states the composition of the federation of Malaysia. In 1976, it was amended and made Sabah and Sarawak to be among the 13 states in Malaysia instead of one of the constituent regions. State rights activists view this as a “demotion” and a violation of MA63.

Speaking to reporters in Kuching today, Karim, who state tourism, arts, culture, youth and sports minister, said the normal practice is to have any bill distributed to  lawmakers at least a week before its tabling.

He said a copy of a bill to amend the constitution should be given to MPs two weeks ahead.

The bill is expected to be tabled in the next few days

He said amending the constitution is a very important matter, as it requires two-thirds of MPs to support the bill.

“It (the bill) affects the relations among the founding states, the main structure on how Malaysia is formed.”

“These are important matters.”

He said every MPs should be given ample opportunity to go through the proposed bill so they understand the issue in depth and prepare their debate

“If they (Putrajaya) are to give the proposed bill today and tomorrow is the tabling and debate, how are the MPs going to make their preparations?”

Karim then took a swipe at DAP MP Kelvin Yii for saying yesterday that he “does not find it strange” for MPs not to be given a draft of the bill.

The Bandar Kuching MP said the matter was “procedural” and all MPs will have the opportunity to sight the contents of the bill.

“What Yii said shows he does not know anything,” said Karim.

He also critised Sarawak PH chairman Chong Chieng Jen, who earlier in the week questioned the failure of Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to declare their stand on the bill.

Chong had said the chief minister and GPS’ reservation in supporting the bill was an “utter disservice to Sarawak”.

Karim said the Sarawak government does not “want to be buffaloes pulled by our noses and support whatever that is being put in front of us”.

“We want to see the bill first.”

Last week, the chairman of the consultative committee Mohd Asfia Awang Nasser, said the committee would reserve its comments on the bill until the committee had seen it.

But Asfia said the committee would support any amendments that are a “substantive improvement to the rights and interest of the state and not merely for the purpose of window dressing”.

Karim also disagreed with suggestions by some state rights activists that the bill be deferred and it should be tabled holistically with all other proposed amendments after the entire concept of the formation of the federation of Malaysia and equal partnership had been studied.

“To get the whole thing bulldozed in one single parliamentary sitting, that might take years.”

He said the amendment to Article 1(2) is the start that is needed “to put everything on the right platform”.

“We hope from the start, there will be a series of adjustments (to the constitution).

“One by one. How long will it take to complete?

“That goes back to the sincerity of all the parties that want the change. Otherwise the people will do their part and take the necessary action via the ballot box.” – April 3, 2019.