Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri president Henrynus Amin asked to see the exact wording used in the draft to replace the existing words in Article 1 (2) of the Federal Constitution, saying this should be open to public scrutiny.

Speaking to the media here today, Amin said without the draft wording of the proposed amendments, public debate would be futile because it would be like “punching aimlessly in the air to fight an imaginary target”.

“We still do not know the details of the proposed constitutional amendment.

“If indeed DAP has been given the task of proposing the constitutional amendment in Parliament, as claimed by a DAP MP, we need the details. Where are they?” he asked DAP.

He said Anak Negeri is questioning DAP’s antics in claiming credit by issuing a half-baked statement on the proposed constitutional amendment without giving details.

Amin warned the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government against using old Barisan Nasional (BN)) tactics of releasing a draft of government bills within hours of the first reading in order to deny opposition MPs the opportunity to consult their supporters or experts and make an informed decision.

“Anak Negeri in principle supports the PH government’s initiative to restore Sabah and Sarawak constitutional status to be equal partners with Malaya.

“But we are wary of a secret agenda to justify the non-fulfilment of federal financial obligations to Sabah and Sarawak under MA63 and Federal Constitution.

“The lack of public debate on the details of the proposed amendment and the lack of comments by key federal leaders on federal obligations to state rights is very unsettling, disconcerting and disappointing,” he said.

He is also suspicious of possible deception to force the opposition to reject the bill and then blaming the opposition for rejecting the government bill intended to restore equal status to Sabah and Sarawak.

After 55 years’ of disappointment, he said Sabahans are wary of the intention of successive federal leaders who had left a trail of broken promises, false hopes and utter failure to honour MA63 and rightful state financial rights under the Federal Constitution.

He said Sabah leaders during the formation of Malaysia might have been deceived into signing MA63 and such sentiments are on the rise among the younger Sabahans and Sarawakians.

“Young Sabahans and Sarawakian are becoming more informed, and therefore more critical, louder and bolder in their demands for the Federal Government to honour its obligations to Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.