PUTRAJAYA will change more laws to restore the position of Sabah and Sarawak in the federation if it succeeds in amending Article 1(2) of the constitution, said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“This is the first step towards realising the wishes and desires of all Malaysians,” said Dr Mahathir said when tabling the amendment to Article 1(2) in the Dewan Rakyat today.

“This amendment will not jeopardise the ongoing discussions between the federal government and Sabah and Sarawak in the special committee.

“And Malaysia will be one entity and will not be split into East and West Malaysia,” said the 93-year-old Langkawi MP.

The federal government is trying to amend Article 1(2) of the federal constitution to restore the positions of Sabah and Sarawak.

This is the first time a Malaysian government is attempting to amend the constitution without a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat since 2008.

The constitution was last amended in 2007 by then Barisan Nasional government to extend the retirement age of Election Commission commissioners to 66.

Pakatan currently has 129 MPs – PKR (50), DAP (42), Bersatu (26) and Amanah (11). With the help of friendly parties, Warisan (9) and Upko (1), the government coalition has 139 MPs but is still nine short of the 148 MPs needed to amend the constitution.

It will need the help of Gabungan Parti Sarawak which has 18 MPs.

The house is expected to vote on the change in the evening.

Urging MPs to support the bill, Dr Mahathir said this is the “right time” for the government to take the “first step towards realising the aspirations of Sabah and Sarawak in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963”.

“In this matter, the special cabinet committee, which includes the chief ministers of Sabah and Sarawak, have agreed to amend Article 1(2).”

He said the government’s motives to amend the Federal Constitution are noble, hoping that it will pave the way for more reforms to realise the aspirations of Malaysians. – April 9, 2019.