SABAH and Sarawak parties must set aside political interests if they wish to see the states’ constitutional status restored, said Chong Chieng Jen.

“The (equal status) bill is important to restore… Sabah and Sarawak’s constitutional status,” the Sarawak Pakatan Harapan chairman told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

“They may have other interests in mind – political or survival interests. But it is important that the interests of the state (Sabah and Sarawak) are prioritised.”

He said if the amendment to Article 1(2) goes through, the two states’ status will return to what it was during Malaysia’s formation in 1963.

De facto law minister Liew Vui Keong is scheduled to table the second reading of the bill in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow morning, after the question-and-answer session. This will be followed by MPs debating the proposed amendment at 2.30pm.

All eyes will be on Gabungan Parti Sarawak, which has 18 lawmakers, and Sabah parties, to see whether they support the bill.

Pakatan Harapan and allies Parti Warisan Sabah and United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation have 139 MPs – nine short of the number needed to amend the federal constitution. – April 8, 2019.