The state assembly sits on Monday.
State PKR leader Baru Bian will present the private member’s motion that would call on the state government to take necessary measures to restore Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to its original form in order to “assert the rightful status of Sarawak as an equal partner” within the Federation of Malaysia.
Prior to the amendment, Article 1(2) had listed Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners of Malaya. After 1976, Sabah and Sarawak were categorised as one of 13 Federated states.
PKR’s motion will call on the state government to make strong representation that Parliament agrees to take steps to restore Article 1(2) to its original form as set down in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and to seek legal redress in court should the parliamentary response fail.
Baru had announced he would present such a motion on Oct 20. But on Nov 1, Chief Minister Adenan Satem announced the state BN would present a comprehensive motion covering all aspects of Sarawak rights under the MA63, the Malaysia Act, Malaysia Inter-Governmental Committee Report and the Cobbold Commission Report.
State PKR vice-chairman See Chee How said today the party had thought of dropping its motion after Adenan said the state government would table its own version.
“But, just to be on the safe side, we decided that we must put in the motion in case the government didn’t do it. Luckily, we kept it.”
Yesterday, Adenan announced that the state BN would be dropping the motion after an assurance by Prime Minister Najib Razak on Sunday that the federal government was willing to address grievances relating to MA63 as long as the issue of secession was not raised.
Meanwhile, activists, who are part of the autonomy advocacy group Sarawak for Sarawakians (S4S), want Adenan to reconsider his decision to drop the motion to reclaim Sarawak rights.
Peter John Jaban, a S4S leader, said the group was “deeply disappointed”.
“His primary responsibility is to the people of Sarawak who elected him to office and not to the PM.
“He has made a statement and has now gone back on it, leaving many Sarawakians disappointed, even angry.”
Peter said supporters for the motion will gather on Monday at the Kuching waterfront to show their unhappiness.
Karen Sheperd, a S4S spokesperson, said the motion would have served as a record in the Hansard of the state’s intent in the state assembly.
Sheperd said autonomy talks must not be limited to talks between two individuals and the public must be privy to the negotiations in a formal capacity.
“There is a general election in a year’s time and there is in fact no guarantee that Najib will be the prime minister in a year’s time.
“There is too much at stake to leave it to chance. Table the motion; put it in black and white. Future generations will then see the path that we are laying for them today.”