While he welcomed the development, he cautioned against being too excited, saying the content of the proposed amendment was unknown as yet.

“We cannot simply jump on the bandwagon and clap our hands with joy. This matter was also discussed under the previous government.

“PBS is grateful that the current government has decided to continue the work. But we need to see what the proposals are.

“Any amendments made must be in accordance with what has been agreed upon in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said here today.

De facto law minister VK Liew will table a bill in Parliament next month to restore the wording of Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to what existed before 1976.

Liew said the papers for the amendment were still being worked out but he expected them to be ready by April 2.

He said the decision to amend the constitution was made at a Cabinet meeting last Thursday.

Ongkili proposed that the matter should first be tabled at the state assemblies in Sabah and Sarawak to allow lawmakers to give their views.

“The views of the Sabah and Sarawak assemblymen matter since the issue of restoring equal status affects both states.”

However, the Kota Marudu MP said he was looking forward to debating the bill in Parliament, adding that the issue was “close to his heart”.

“This has been part and parcel of PBS’ core struggles since the party’s formation over three decades ago,” he said.