KUCHING: The government will amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to restore the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners with Peninsular Malaysia, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong

The amendment would be tabled at the next Parliament session which starts on Oct 15, he added.

With the proposed amendment, he said the status of Sabah and Sarawak will be reinstated as defined under Article 4 of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

An amendment to Article 1(2) in 1976 downgraded Sabah and Sarawak to the 12th and 13th states in Malaysia.

Liew called on all MPs, including those from opposition parties in Sabah and Sarawak, to support the proposed amendment as it would require a two-thirds majority to be passed in Parliament.

“I cannot deny the importance of support from all Sabah and Sarawak MPs in amending these provisions in Parliament.

“It requires a strong political will and we must put aside our political differences for the future of our next generation.

“It is my hope that all Malaysians remain united in amending Article 1(2) and rectify the injustices suffered by Sabah and Sarawak for the past three decades,” he said at a dinner with the Advocates Association of Sarawak here last night. It was also attended by several MPs from DAP and the opposition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

Liew also said the government would propose increasing the retirement age of judges to 70 years.

He said this proposal would require an amendment to Article 125 of the Federal Constitution, which would also be tabled in the next session of Parliament.

He cited countries such as Australia and Britain where judges retire at the age of 70.

In an immediate response, Petra Jaya MP and GPS chief whip Datuk Fadillah Yusof, who was present at the dinner, said GPS MPs would support in principle any amendments that benefit Sarawak, especially in terms of restoring state rights under MA63.

Earlier yesterday, Liew said the line-up and terms of reference of the special Cabinet committee on MA63 would be presented at the Cabinet meeting tomorrow for approval.

He said it would comprise a steering committee chaired by the Prime Minister with members including the chief ministers of Sabah and Sarawak, a technical committee and a working committee.

“The working committee will do all the preliminary work for the technical committee to look at and make the necessary adjustments before it goes to the steering committee,” he said.

“Once that is done, we will see the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement.”