KUCHING: President of State Reform Party Sarawak (STAR), Lina Soo has expressed her curiosity and caution at the arrival of Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law), Datuk Liew Vui Keong in Sarawak to announce his proposal to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution.
“What is the catch and are there any strings attached?,” asked Soo. She is surprised why Liew had come to Sarawak first to convince 19 MPs out of 222. “But why didn’t he start in Malaya or Sabah?,” she asked.
Soo is not convinced by Liew’s claim that the process will take time. She said she had already scrutinized the Hansard of 1976 where A354 Sec 2, which was a bundle of 100 amendments, was passed en bloc, and Article 1(2) was consented by all MPs without debate or objection.
“If the process then could be passed at one parliamentary session, why does it now require time to reverse it?,” she asked.
Soo questions the motive of Liew’s Sarawak mission to win the “hearts and minds” of Sarawak MPs and the people.
“However, let events unfold. I will be eagerly waiting for Liew’s promises to materialise soon when the Bills are revealed,” added Soo.
“After all, the processes that need to be done are only to revert Article 1(2) to 1963 original, and to add an additional clause to both Petroleum Development Act and Territorial Sea Act: This Act shall not apply to Sarawak and Sabah.
“That is all the parliamentary and constitutional process that needs to be done now, and everything will fall into place as it should,” she said.
