# Proposed 2019 amendment to the Constitution of Malaysia

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History of Malaysia :
Prehistoric period Paleolithic  Lenggong Valley c. 2,000,0000 BCE  Mansuli Valley235,000 BCE Mesolithic  Niah cultures 65,000–40,000 BCE Neolithic  Bewah man/woman 16,000 BCE  Perak man/woman 11,000–200 BCE  Neolithic Klang 500 – 200 BCE :
Early kingdoms Ancient Kedah <100 BCE Chi Tu 100 BCE–642 CE Langkasuka 100 BCE–1474 CE Gangga Negara c. 100 CE–1025 Pan Pan 424–775 Old Kedah 170–1135 Old Pahang 449–1454 Srivijaya 700s–1025 Majapahit 1300s :
Rise of Muslim states Kedah Sultanate 1136–present Samudera Pasai Sultanate 1267–1521 Brunei Sultanate 1368–present Malacca Sultanate 1402–1511 Sulu Sultanate 1450–1899 Pahang Sultanate 1470–1623 Aceh Sultanate 1496–1903 Pattani Sultanate 1516– 1902 Johor Sultanate 1528–present Sarawak Sultanate 1599–1641 Selangor Sultanate 1766–present Besut Kingdom 1780–1899 Setul Kingdom 1808–1916 Reman Kingdom 1810–1902 Kubang Pasu Kingdom 1839–1864 :
Colonial period Portuguese Malacca 1511–1641 Dutch–Portuguese War 1601–1661 Dutch Malacca 1641–1824 Pahang Kingdom 1770–1881 Straits Settlements 1786–1946 Siamese invasion of Kedah 1821–1826 Anglo-Dutch Treaty1824 Burney Treaty1826 Naning War 1831–1832 Kingdom of Sarawak 1841–1946 Separation of Perlis from Kedah 1843 Crown Colony of Labuan 1848–1946 Pahang Civil War 1857–1863 Larut Wars 1861–1874 Klang War 1867–1874 Pangkor Treaty 1874 Perak War1875–1876 British Malaya / Borneo 1874–1946 Jementah Civil War 1879 North Borneo 1882–1946 Pahang Uprising 1891–1895 Mat Salleh Rebellion 1894–1905 Federated Malay States 1895–1946 Anglo-Siamese Treaty 1909 Unfederated Malay States 1909–1946 Battle of Penang 1914 Kelantan rebellion 1915 :
World War II Japanese occupation of Malaya / Borneo 1941–1945 Malayan campaign 1941–1942 Bornean Campaign 1941–1942 Battle of Muar 1942 Parit Sulong Massacre 1942 Battle of Singapore 1942 Sook Ching 1942 Syburi 1942 Sandakan Death Marches 1942–1945 Si Rat Malai 1943–1945 Jesselton revolt 1943–1944 :
Formative period BMA of Malaya/Borneo 1945–1946 Crown Colony of N. Borneo/Sarawak 1946–1963 Anti-cession movement 1946–1963 Malayan Union 1946–1948 Federation of Malaya 1948–1963 Malayan Emergency 1948–1960 Baling Talks 1955 :
Independence period Malayan Independence 1957 Singapore self-governance 1959 ISA 1960 1960–2012 Sarawak Insurgency 1962–1990 North Borneo self-governance 1963 Konfrontasi 1963–1966 Sarawak self-governance 1963 Formation of Malaysia 1963 Singapore in Malaysia 1963–1965 ASEAN Declaration 1967 Second communist insurgency 1968–1989 :
Modern period 13 May incident 1969 National Operations Council 1969–1971 Declaration of Rukun Negara 1970 New Economic Policy 1971–1990 Federal Territory of KL 1974 1977 Kelantan Emergency 1977 Pedra Branca dispute 1979–2008 South China Sea dispute (Spratly) 1980–present Dawn Raid 1981 Federal Territory of Labuan 1984 Memali incident 1985 Operation Lalang 1987 Constitutional crisis 1987–1988 Peace Agreement of Hat Yai 1989 Royal Immunity Amendments 1993 Asian financial crisis 1997–1998 Reformasi Movement 1998–2022 2008 Malaysian Opposition Wave 2008 H1N1 flu pandemic 2009–2010 Sedition Dragnet 2014 1MDB scandal 2015–present Pakatan Harapan takeover 2018 COVID-19 pandemic 2020–2022 Political crisis 2020–2022 Bornean Amendment 2021–2023 Green Wave 2022–present :
Incidents Brunei revolt 1962–1966 North Borneo dispute (Philippine militant attacks) 1962–present Singapore race riots 1964 Brunei's Limbang claim 1967–2009 Penang Hartal riot 1967 13 May Incident 1969 Ligitan and Sipadan dispute 1969–2002 Kuala Lumpur flash floods 1971 Malaysian haze crisis 1972–present AIA building hostage crisis 1975 National Monument bombing 1975 Campbell Shopping Complex fire 1976 Sabah Air GAF Nomad crash 1976 Japan Airlines Flight 715 incident 1977 MH653 incident 1977 1985 Lahad Datu ambush 1985 Memali Incident 1985 Sabah Emergency 1986 Ming Court Affair 1987 Penang terminal bridge collapse 1988 Taufiqiah Al-Khairiah madrasa fire 1989 Bright Sparklers disaster 1991 Highland Towers collapse 1993 Genting landslide 1995 MH2133 incident 1995 Pos Dipang mudflow 1996 Tropical Storm Greg 1996 1998–1999 Malaysia Nipah virus outbreak 1998–1999 2000 Sipadan kidnappings 2000 Al-Ma'unah incident 2000 Sauk Siege 2000 2001 Kampung Medan riots 2001 2002 Taman Hillview landslide 2002 Indian Ocean tsunami 2004 2006–2007 Southeast Asian floods 2006–2007 Bukit Gantang bus crash 2007 Bukit Antarabangsa landslide 2008 H1N1 flu pandemic 2009 Attacks against places of worship 2010 Cameron Highlands bus crash 2010 Hulu Langat landslide 2011 Genting Highlands bus crash 2013 MH370 incident 2014 MH17 incident 2014 2014–15 Malaysia floods 2014–2015 Sabah earthquake 2015 2015 Plaza Low Yat riot2015 Movida Bar grenade attack 2016 Kim Jong-nam's Assassination 2017 Darul Quran madrasa fire2017 2018 Subang Temple riot 2018 2020-21 Malaysia floods 2021 LRT train collision 2021 2021-22 Malaysia floods 2021–2022 2022 Batang Kali landslide 2022 2023 Elmina plane crash 2023 2024 Lumut helicopters crash 2024 2024 Ulu Tiram police station attack 2024 :
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On 4 April 2019, a bill proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Malaysia was tabled in the Dewan Rakyat of the Parliament of Malaysia. The bill proposes to amend Article 1(2) so as to restore the status of the two East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak according to the original content of Malaysia Agreement that was signed in 1963.
Despite six hours of debate in the Parliament during the second reading of the bill on 9 April, only 138 MPs supported the bill, 10 votes short of the two-thirds majority of the chamber, 148 votes, required for amendments to the Constitution. The remaining 59 (non-absent) votes were abstentions, all of which are from opposition parties.

## Background
### 1976 constitutional amendment

In 1976, under the Malaysian government, Article 1(2) was amended as part of a larger package affecting 45 articles and 2 schedules in the Constitution of Malaysia. This package removed the distinction between the states in Peninsular Malaysia and the Bornean states of Sabah and Sarawak. It was argued, at the time, that the change would lead to greater uniformity between the eastern and western regions of Malaysia. As a result of some political maneuvering by the government , no MPs from Sabah or Sarawak opposed this amendment package.

### Breaches of the Malaysia Agreement

The 1963 Malaysia Agreement, under which Sabah and Sarawak unified with Malaya to become Malaysia, included strong provisions for the autonomy of Sabah and Sarawak (see the 18-point and 20-point agreement). However, this autonomy has eroded in numerous aspects, such as a smaller share of oil revenue than previously agreed and a reduction in the territorial waters that belonged to each state. Following their victory in the 2018 election, the Pakatan Harapan alliance promised to make changes including an amendment to Article 1(2) and a greater share of oil revenue. Other causes of dispute between East and West Malaysia include freedom of religion, distribution of profits from natural resources, and demographic change (particularly in Sabah).
Prior to 2010, the anniversary of Federation was a public holiday in only the East Malaysian states, but it was later made a national holiday by the government in response to an opposition statement declaring their intention to do so if they won an election. Some groups, including the Borneo Heritage Foundation (BHF), Movement for Change Sarawak (MoCS), and the Sarawak Association of People's Aspirations (SAPA), have cited these issues, among others, as reasons for advocating separation from Malaysia.
1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63) :
| Authority of Sabah Sarawak | MA63 as agreed between United Kingdom, Malaya, North Borneo, Sarawak, Singapore | Current situation under Malaysia |
| Development | British delegation promised both states a total of £1½ million a year for five years after Malaysia Day, provided the Malayan government also extended aid for that period. Malaya would provide $200 million to North Borneo and $300 million to Sarawak for the first five years of Malaysia, while Singapore would provide a $150 million development loan to North Borneo and Sarawak, of which $100 million would be interest-free for five years | Sabah: RM5 billion per year Sarawak: RM4.3 billion per year |
| Education | Rights to own education system | Malaysia standardised education system (Dilapidated schools and frequent misinformation in history textbooks for both Sabah and Sarawak history) |
| Immigration | Control immigration entry | Controlled immigration entry via permit (Sabah: Southern Filipino refugees fleeing the civil war were issued IMM13 documents by the Federal government, instead of the Sabahan state government, leading to a situation whereby the refugees, and their families who had settled in Sabah, could not be stripped of their IMM13 without rendering them stateless as the Philippine government did not recognise them as citizens) |
| Language | English as the official language | Sabah: Malay is amended as official language through the controversial 1973 State Constitution Sarawak: Both Malay and English are official language as of 2015 (Malay is also used in all courts except High Court and Native Court) |
| Law | Authority to agree/disagree to amend law | Recognised as state under Malaysian laws with the exclusion of certain laws (e.g. National Land Code) (Frequent reported conflicts with federal government regarding indigenous land rights) |
| Natural resources | North Borneo: 40% of the state revenue Sarawak: Up to RM21 million for the first four years (Both North Borneo and Sarawak retain import duty, excise duty and export duty with North Borneo retain a total of 30% from customs and excise for as long it is responsible for health and medical expenditure) | In 1966, the Continental Shelf Act was enforced by the federal government on the two despite both had already extended their jurisdiction over the continental shelf adjacent to their territory. Further in 1974, the Petroleum Development Act was enforced on the two, giving them only 5% of oil royalty from the revenue |
| Religion | No official religion | Sabah: Islam is amended as official religion through the controversial 1973 State Constitution Sarawak: No official religion (Updated in state government website as of 2015. In 2018, Sarawak began to allow converts to renounce Islam if they already wish so without the need to keep forcing them to stay in the religion) (Frequent cases of Sabahan and Sarawakians non-Muslims identified as Muslims, Muslims who wish to convert out of Islam are being prevented as well the rampant religious intolerance and conversion of non-Muslims students in schools without their parents consent. In July 2006, state mufti of Sabah issued a fatwa to an ongoing Taoist statue project where a stop-work order was then being imposed by the state government on the construction of Mazu (Goddess of the Sea) statue in Kudat District. Further in April 2007, a local businesswoman loan application was rejected because her unisex styling business was in conflict with Islam) |
| See also: 1962 Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report and 1963 Malaysia Agreement |||

### Inter-governmental negotiations

Part of the Formation of Malaysia :
Events :
* Malaysia Bill
* Cobbold Commission
* • 18-point agreement
* • 20-point agreement
* Singaporean referendum
* Sarawak communist insurgency
* North Borneo dispute
* • Cross border attacks in Sabah
* • Moro conflict
* • Piracy in Sulu & Celebes
* Brunei revolt
* • North Borneo Federation
* Konfrontasi
* Manila Accord
* Maphilindo
* Sarawak Self-governance
* Malaysia Act 1963
* North Borneo Self-governance
* Proclamation of Malaysia
* Operation Claret
* 1964 race riots in Singapore
* MacDonald House bombing
* PAP–UMNO relations
* Proclamation of Singapore
* UN Security Council Resolution 213
* Singapore Agreement
* South Thailand insurgency
* Double Six Tragedy
* Pedra Branca dispute
* 2019 failed constitutional amendment
* 2021 constitutional amendment
Malaysia portal :
vte :
In October 2009, the then Prime Minister Najib Razak declared that Malaysia Day would become a national holiday with the intent of promoting unity between West and East Malaysia. On the Malaysia Day following his victory in the 2018 general election, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced a commitment to restore Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners to Western Peninsula after a review of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement. That year, the Prime Minister's Department published a special article regarding the formation of the country.
On 5 March 2019, a meeting was held between Prime Minister Mahathir and representatives from the Sabah and Sarawak governments. Neither party identified any significant items of dispute with regards to the 1963 agreement. Items that were not resolved, such as stamp duty were to be referred to a Technical Review for detailed assessment. Although some issues were unresolved, Minister of Law in the Prime Minister's Department Liew Vui Keong announced on 8 March that the cabinet had agreed to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution and that the amendment will be tabled for the next sitting of Parliament on 11 March. On 11 March, the sitting of Parliament began with the amendment being the primary focus of discussion.
On 2 April, Minister Liew announced that the federal government would table the amendment at the Parliamentary meeting, scheduled for the following week.

## Dewan Rakyat debate
### First reading

On 4 April, before the amendment could be tabled for its first reading by Minister Liew, a number of opposition MPs from Sabah and Sarawak raised significant concerns that the proposed amendment was being pushed through without adequate consultation with East Malaysian MPs on the draft contents. Minister Liew responded with a statement in Parliament that the amendment would effectively change the status of Sabah and Sarawak from state into territory, once the committee completed their review of the 1963 agreement.
In his statement, Liew also explained that the special committee was chaired by Prime Minister Mahathir, along with the Chief Ministers of Sabah and Sarawak, the Attorney Generals and other high-ranking officers. However, he did not clarify why the bill should be passed before other separate amendments, which would promote greater autonomy of the two entities, were implemented. Despite the review and meetings, the bill was opposed after the reading, with one opposition MP, Sim Kui Hian of the Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) who voted against the bill, stating in an interview that the amendment retained Sarawak as one of the 13 states of Malaysia rather than equal partner. He also stated that there was no amendment to Article 160 of the constitution regarding the definition of "Federation", which should be based on the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 instead of the Malaya Agreement of 1957. Other opposition MPs also followed suit demanding the bill be temporary retracted.

### Second reading

On 8 April, Minister Liew stated that the wording of the bill would follow the 1963 version of Article 1(2) of the Constitution. The minister also stated that he received no opposition from the Prime Minister or the federal Attorney General. However, despite these changes, Fadillah Yusof, Chief Whip of the Sarawak Parties Coalition (GPS), stood firm on a request that the bill be temporarily withdrawn, or referred to a select committee, for further discussion.
In a speech on 9 April, during the second reading of the bill, Prime Minister Mahathir stated that the amendment was a "starting point and [this] is an appropriate time for the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government to take the first step in realising the needs of the people in Sabah and Sarawak in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963". People's Justice Party (PKR) President Anwar Ibrahim concurred saying the matter had undergone extensive debate and that the concerns of the people of Sabah and Sarawak were being addressed by the PH administration. He also stated that restoration of the two states was a meaningful step being undertaken by the PH government, compared to the half century of inaction by the previous Barisan Nasional government, and should not be opposed.
In response to a question from Ketereh MP Tan Sri Annuar Musa concerning the necessity of having a select committee review the bill, Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal agreed that such a review was unnecessary and would only delay other amendments that would restore other aspects of the 1963 agreement. He also refuted claims that passing of the bill would result in an "erosion of nationhood among the people of Sabah and Sarawak".

#### Division result

At 10:20 pm local time, the chamber divided. Of the 197 MPs present, 138 voted in support for the amendment while 59, primarily members of the Barisan Nasional coalition, did not cast a vote. The bill was put up for voting by Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof after a day-long debate with no MPs from either side actually opposing the restoration bill.
Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019: second reading division result :
| No. | Name | Party (coalition) | Constituency | State |
| Supported (138) |||||
| 1 | Abdul Latiff Ahmad | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Mersing | Johor |
| 2 | Abdul Rahim Bakri | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kudat | Sabah |
| 3 | Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kapar | Selangor |
| 4 | Ahmad Faizal Azumu | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Tambun | Perak |
| 5 | Ahmad Hassan | Sabah Heritage Party | Papar | Sabah |
| 6 | Akmal Nasrullah Nasir | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Johor Bahru | Johor |
| 7 | Ali Biju | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Saratok | Sarawak |
| 8 | Alice Lau Kiong Yieng | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Lanang | Sarawak |
| 9 | Amiruddin Hamzah | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kubang Pasu | Kedah |
| 10 | Anifah Aman | Independent | Kimanis | Sabah |
| 11 | Anthony Loke Siew Fook | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Seremban | Negeri Sembilan |
| 12 | Anuar Tahir | National Trust Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Temerloh | Pahang |
| 13 | Anwar Ibrahim | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Port Dickson | Negeri Sembilan |
| 14 | Arthur Joseph Kurup | United Sabah People's Party (Gabungan Bersatu Sabah) | Pensiangan | Sabah |
| 15 | Awang Husaini Sahari | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Putatan | Sabah |
| 16 | Azis Jamman | Sabah Heritage Party | Sepanggar | Sabah |
| 17 | Azizah Dun | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Beaufort | Sabah |
| 18 | Azman Ismail | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kuala Kedah | Kedah |
| 19 | Baru Bian | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Selangau | Sarawak |
| 20 | Cha Kee Chin | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Rasah | Negeri Sembilan |
| 21 | Chan Foong Hin | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kota Kinabalu | Sabah |
| 22 | Chan Ming Kai | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Alor Setar | Kedah |
| 23 | Chang Lih Kang | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Tanjong Malim | Perak |
| 24 | Charles Santiago | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Klang | Selangor |
| 25 | Chong Chieng Jen | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Stampin | Sarawak |
| 26 | Chow Kon Yeow | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Tanjong | Penang |
| 27 | Christina Liew Chin Jin | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Tawau | Sabah |
| 28 | Darell Leiking | Sabah Heritage Party | Penampang | Sabah |
| 29 | Dzulkefly Ahmad | National Trust Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kuala Selangor | Selangor |
| 30 | Eddin Syazlee Shith | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kuala Pilah | Negeri Sembilan |
| 31 | Edmund Santhara | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Segamat | Johor |
| 32 | Fahmi Fadzil | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Lembah Pantai | Kuala Lumpur |
| 33 | Farid Rafik | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Tanjung Piai | Johor |
| 34 | Fasiah Fakeh | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Sabak Bernam | Selangor |
| 35 | Fong Kui Lun | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Bukit Bintang | Kuala Lumpur |
| 36 | Fuziah Salleh | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kuantan | Pahang |
| 37 | Gobind Singh Deo | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Puchong | Selangor |
| 38 | Hamzah Zainudin | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Larut | Perak |
| 39 | Hannah Yeoh Tseow Suan | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Segambut | Kuala Lumpur |
| 40 | Hasan Bahrom | National Trust Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Tampin | Negeri Sembilan |
| 41 | Hasanuddin Yunus | National Trust Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Hulu Langat | Selangor |
| 42 | Hassan Abdul Karim | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Pasir Gudang | Johor |
| 43 | Hatta Ramli | National Trust Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Lumut | Perak |
| 44 | Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Tanah Merah | Kelantan |
| 45 | Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis | Sabah Heritage Party | Kota Belud | Sabah |
| 46 | Jeffrey Kitingan | Homeland Solidarity Party (Gabungan Bersatu Sabah) | Keningau | Sabah |
| 47 | Johari Abdul | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Sungai Petani | Kedah |
| 48 | Jonathan Yasin | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Ranau | Sabah |
| 49 | Jugah Muyang | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Lubok Antu | Sarawak |
| 50 | June Leow Hsiad Hui | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Hulu Selangor | Selangor |
| 51 | Kamarudin Jaffar | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Bandar Tun Razak | Kuala Lumpur |
| 52 | Karuppaiya Muthusamy | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Padang Serai | Kedah |
| 53 | Kasthuriraani Patto | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Batu Kawan | Penang |
| 54 | Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Bandar Kuching | Sarawak |
| 55 | Kesavan Subramaniam | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Sungai Siput | Perak |
| 56 | Khalid Abdul Samad | National Trust Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Shah Alam | Selangor |
| 57 | Khoo Poay Tiong | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kota Melaka | Malacca |
| 58 | Larry Sng Wei Shien | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Julau | Sarawak |
| 59 | Lee Boon Chye | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Gopeng | Perak |
| 60 | Liew Vui Keong | Sabah Heritage Party | Batu Sapi | Sabah |
| 61 | Lim Guan Eng | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Bagan | Penang |
| 62 | Lim Kit Siang | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Iskandar Puteri | Johor |
| 63 | Lim Lip Eng | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kepong | Kuala Lumpur |
| 64 | M. Kulasegaran | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Ipoh Barat | Perak |
| 65 | Ma'mun Sulaiman | Sabah Heritage Party | Kalabakan | Sabah |
| 66 | Mahathir Mohamad | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Langkawi | Kedah |
| 67 | Mahfuz Omar | National Trust Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Pokok Sena | Kedah |
| 68 | Mansor Othman | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Nibong Tebal | Penang |
| 69 | Maria Chin Abdullah | Independent | Petaling Jaya | Selangor |
| 70 | Mas Ermieyati Samsudin | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Masjid Tanah | Malacca |
| 71 | Maximus Ongkili | United Sabah Party (Gabungan Bersatu Sabah) | Kota Marudu | Sabah |
| 72 | Michael Teo Yu Keng | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Miri | Sarawak |
| 73 | Mohamad Sabu | National Trust Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kota Raja | Selangor |
| 74 | Mohamed Azmin Ali | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Gombak | Selangor |
| 75 | Mohamed Hanipa Maidin | National Trust Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Sepang | Selangor |
| 76 | Mohammadin Ketapi | Sabah Heritage Party | Silam | Sabah |
| 77 | Mordi Bimol | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Mas Gading | Sarawak |
| 78 | Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Balik Pulau | Penang |
| 79 | Muhyiddin Yassin | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Pagoh | Johor |
| 80 | Mujahid Yusof Rawa | National Trust Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Parit Buntar | Perak |
| 81 | Mukhriz Mahathir | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Jerlun | Kedah |
| 82 | Mustapa Mohamed | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Jeli | Kelantan |
| 83 | Natrah Ismail | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Sekijang | Johor |
| 84 | Nga Kor Ming | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Teluk Intan | Perak |
| 85 | Ngeh Koo Ham | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Beruas | Perak |
| 86 | Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Setiawangsa | Kuala Lumpur |
| 87 | Noor Azmi Ghazali | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Bagan Serai | Perak |
| 88 | Noorita Sual | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Tenom | Sabah |
| 89 | Nor Azrina Surip | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Merbok | Kedah |
| 90 | Nurul Izzah Anwar | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Permatang Pauh | Penang |
| 91 | Ong Kian Ming | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Bangi | Selangor |
| 92 | Oscar Ling Chai Yew | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Sibu | Sarawak |
| 93 | Pang Hok Liong | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Labis | Johor |
| 94 | P. Prabakaran | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Batu | Kuala Lumpur |
| 95 | R. Sivarasa | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Sungai Buloh | Selangor |
| 96 | Ramkarpal Singh | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Bukit Gelugor | Penang |
| 97 | Rashid Hasnon | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Batu Pahat | Johor |
| 98 | Redzuan Yusof | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Alor Gajah | Malacca |
| 99 | Rina Harun | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Titiwangsa | Kuala Lumpur |
| 100 | Ronald Kiandee | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Beluran | Sabah |
| 101 | Rosol Wahid | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Hulu Terengganu | Terengganu |
| 102 | Rozman Isli | Sabah Heritage Party | Labuan | Labuan |
| 103 | Rusnah Aluai | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Tangga Batu | Malacca |
| 104 | Sanisvara Nethaji | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Jelutong | Penang |
| 105 | Saifuddin Abdullah | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Indera Mahkota | Pahang |
| 106 | Saifuddin Nasution Ismail | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kulim-Bandar Baharu | Kedah |
| 107 | Salahuddin Ayub | National Trust Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Pulai | Johor |
| 108 | Shabudin Yahaya | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Tasek Gelugor | Penang |
| 109 | Shafie Apdal | Sabah Heritage Party | Semporna | Sabah |
| 110 | Shahruddin Salleh | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Sri Gading | Johor |
| 111 | Sim Tze Tzin | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Bayan Baru | Penang |
| 112 | Steven Choong Shiau Yoon | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Tebrau | Johor |
| 113 | Steven Sim Chee Keong | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Bukit Mertajam | Penang |
| 114 | Su Keong Siong | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kampar | Perak |
| 115 | Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Ledang | Johor |
| 116 | Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Muar | Johor |
| 117 | Tan Kok Wai | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Cheras | Kuala Lumpur |
| 118 | Tan Yee Kew | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Wangsa Maju | Kuala Lumpur |
| 119 | Teh Kok Lim | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Taiping | Perak |
| 120 | Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Raub | Pahang |
| 121 | Teo Nie Ching | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kulai | Johor |
| 122 | Teresa Kok Suh Sim | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Seputeh | Kuala Lumpur |
| 123 | Tony Pua Kiam Wee | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Damansara | Selangor |
| 124 | V. Sivakumar | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Batu Gajah | Perak |
| 125 | Wan Azizah Wan Ismail | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Pandan | Selangor |
| 126 | Wilfred Madius Tangau | United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation | Tuaran | Sabah |
| 127 | William Leong Jee Keen | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Selayang | Selangor |
| 128 | Willie Mongin | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Puncak Borneo | Sarawak |
| 129 | Wong Chen | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Subang | Selangor |
| 130 | Wong Hon Wai | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Bukit Bendera | Penang |
| 131 | Wong Kah Woh | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Ipoh Timor | Perak |
| 132 | Wong Ling Biu | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Sarikei | Sarawak |
| 133 | Wong Shu Qi | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kluang | Johor |
| 134 | Wong Tack | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Bentong | Pahang |
| 135 | Xavier Jayakumar Arulanandam | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kuala Langat | Selangor |
| 136 | Yeo Bee Yin | Democratic Action Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Bakri | Johor |
| 137 | Zakaria Edris | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Libaran | Sabah |
| 138 | Zuraida Kamaruddin | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Ampang | Selangor |
| Abstained (59) |||||
| 1 | Aaron Ago Dagang | Sarawak Peoples' Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Kanowit | Sarawak |
| 2 | Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Baling | Kedah |
| 3 | Abdul Latiff Abdul Rahman | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Kuala Krai | Kelantan |
| 4 | Adham Baba | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Tenggara | Johor |
| 5 | Ahmad Amzad Hashim | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Kuala Terengganu | Terengganu |
| 6 | Ahmad Fadhli Shaari | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Pasir Mas | Kelantan |
| 7 | Ahmad Johnie Zawawi | United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Igan | Sarawak |
| 8 | Ahmad Maslan | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Pontian | Johor |
| 9 | Ahmad Marzuk Shaary | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Pengkalan Chepa | Kelantan |
| 10 | Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Sik | Kedah |
| 11 | Alexander Nanta Linggi | United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Kapit | Sarawak |
| 12 | Annuar Musa | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Ketereh | Kelantan |
| 13 | Anyi Ngau | Progressive Democratic Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Baram | Sarawak |
| 14 | Awang Hashim | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Pendang | Kedah |
| 15 | Bung Moktar Radin | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Kinabatangan | Sabah |
| 16 | Che Abdullah Mat Nawi | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Tumpat | Kelantan |
| 17 | Che Alias Hamid | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Kemaman | Terengganu |
| 18 | Fadillah Yusof | United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Petra Jaya | Sarawak |
| 19 | Halimah Mohamed Sadique | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Kota Tinggi | Johor |
| 20 | Hanifah Hajar Taib | United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Mukah | Sarawak |
| 21 | Hasbi Habibollah | United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Limbang | Sarawak |
| 22 | Hasbullah Osman | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Gerik | Perak |
| 23 | Henry Sum Agong | United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Lawas | Sarawak |
| 24 | Ismail Muttalib | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Maran | Pahang |
| 25 | Ismail Sabri Yaakob | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Bera | Pahang |
| 26 | Jalaluddin Alias | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Jelebu | Negeri Sembilan |
| 27 | Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Machang | Kelantan |
| 28 | Khairuddin Aman Razali | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Kuala Nerus | Terengganu |
| 29 | Lukanisman Awang Sauni | United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Sibuti | Sarawak |
| 30 | M. Saravanan | Malaysian Indian Congress (Barisan Nasional) | Tapah | Perak |
| 31 | Mahdzir Khalid | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Padang Terap | Kedah |
| 32 | Masir Kujat | Sarawak United Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Sri Aman | Sarawak |
| 33 | Mastura Yazid | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Kuala Kangsar | Perak |
| 34 | Nancy Shukri | United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Batang Sadong | Sarawak |
| 35 | Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Bachok | Kelantan |
| 36 | Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Pasir Puteh | Kelantan |
| 37 | Nizar Zakaria | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Parit | Perak |
| 38 | Noh Omar | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Tanjong Karang | Selangor |
| 39 | Noraini Ahmad | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Parit Sulong | Johor |
| 40 | Ramli Nor | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Cameron Highlands | Pahang |
| 41 | Richard Riot Jaem | Sarawak United Peoples' Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Serian | Sarawak |
| 42 | Robert Lawson Chuat | United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Betong | Sarawak |
| 43 | Rohani Abdul Karim | United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Batang Lupar | Sarawak |
| 44 | Rubiah Wang | United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Kota Samarahan | Sarawak |
| 45 | Sabri Azit | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Jerai | Kedah |
| 46 | Salim Sharif | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Jempol | Negeri Sembilan |
| 47 | Mohd Shahar Abdullah | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Paya Besar | Pahang |
| 48 | Shaharizukirnain Abdul Kadir | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Setiu | Terengganu |
| 49 | Shahidan Kassim | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Arau | Perlis |
| 50 | Shamsul Anuar Nasarah | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Lenggong | Perak |
| 51 | Takiyuddin Hassan | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Kota Bharu | Kelantan |
| 52 | Tiong King Sing | Progressive Democratic Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Bintulu | Sarawak |
| 53 | Tuan Ibrahim | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Kubang Kerian | Kelantan |
| 54 | Wan Hassan Ramli | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Dungun | Terengganu |
| 55 | Wan Junaidi | United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Santubong | Sarawak |
| 56 | Wee Ka Siong | Malaysian Chinese Association (Barisan Nasional) | Ayer Hitam | Johor |
| 57 | Wilson Ugak Kumbong | Sarawak People's Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Hulu Rajang | Sarawak |
| 58 | Yusuf Abdul Wahab | United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) | Tanjong Manis | Sarawak |
| 59 | Siti Zailah Yusoff | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Rantau Panjang | Kelantan |
| Did not participate (8) |||||
| 1 | Ahmad Hamzah | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Jasin | Malacca |
| 2 | Hasan Arifin | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Rompin | Pahang |
| 3 | Hishammuddin Hussein | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Sembrong | Johor |
| 4 | Reezal Merican Naina Merican | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Kepala Batas | Penang |
| 5 | Tajuddin Abdul Rahman | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Pasir Salak | Perak |
| 6 | Tengku Adnan | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Putrajaya | Putrajaya |
| 7 | Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Gua Musang | Kelantan |
| 8 | Zahidi Zainul Abidin | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Padang Besar | Perlis |
| Absent (16) |||||
| 1 | Abdul Hadi Awang | Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Gagasan Sejahtera) | Marang | Terengganu |
| 2 | Abdul Rahman Mohamad | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Lipis | Pahang |
| 3 | Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz | Independent | Bukit Gantang | Perak |
| 4 | Ahmad Nazlan Idris | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Jerantut | Pahang |
| 5 | Ahmad Zahid Hamidi | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Bagan Datok | Perak |
| 6 | Azalina Othman Said | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Pengerang | Johor |
| 7 | Idris Jusoh | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Besut | Terengganu |
| 8 | Ismail Mohamed Said | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Kuala Krau | Pahang |
| 9 | Khairy Jamaluddin | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Rembau | Negeri Sembilan |
| 10 | Maszlee Malik | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Simpang Renggam | Johor |
| 11 | Muslimin Yahaya | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Sungai Besar | Selangor |
| 12 | Najib Razak | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Pekan | Pahang |
| 13 | Nazri Aziz | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Padang Rengas | Perak |
| 14 | Noor Amin Ahmad | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Kangar | Perlis |
| 15 | Shamsul Iskandar | People's Justice Party (Pakatan Harapan) | Hang Tuah Jaya | Malacca |
| 16 | Yamani Hafez Musa | United Malays National Organisation (Barisan Nasional) | Sipitang | Sabah |
| Vacant (1) |||||
| 1 | Vacant | Vacant | Sandakan | Sabah |
| Source: Division result from an unspecified article on Malaysiakini via Reddit |||||
A separate motion by Santubong MP, Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, for the bill to be submitted to a special committee of Parliament for a review was supported by only 60 MPs and opposed by 136 MPs. The full sitting of parliament was one MP short as Wong Tien Fatt had died from a heart attack a week prior to the vote. As the bill had failed to reach the required two-thirds majority, it would not get a third reading in Parliament. Despite this, PKR President Anwar Ibrahim said that he was satisfied with the show of support from government MPs and their coalition allies. Prime Minister Mahathir said that, despite the failure of the bill to pass, he did not expect future efforts at amending the constitution to fail. He also stated that, in response to a request by Pontian MP Ahmad Maslan, there was no need to refer the amendment to the Conference of Rulers for review as it was not within their remit, but there would be no opposition from the government if members of parliament sought the formation of a select committee to review the 1963 agreement.

## Domestic response

Following the commitment shown by Prime Minister Mahathir, and responding to the need for review, Sabah Social Activist Patrick Sindu suggested that the steering committee set up to review the 1963 agreement should also invite the British government for feedback considering they were party to the original agreement. Sarawak Assistant Minister of Law, State-Federal Relations and Project Monitoring Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali pointed out that any review of the 1963 agreement should be aimed at remedying any violation of the terms, spirit and intent of the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. Both the Sabah Council of Churches (SCC) and the Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) have called for a full restoration of religious freedom.
The President of the Sabah Law Society Brenndon Keith Soh issued a statement saying that legal action could be taken against the federal government if it fails to fully implement the 1963 agreement. Arnold Puyok, a commenter on Sabah and Sarawak affairs, stressed that the restoration of the territorial status of Sabah and Sarawak should be viewed from a perspective that encompasses Malaysian federalism, and not with a bias towards either Sabah or Sarawak. Sabah Sarawak Rights-Australia New Zealand Incorporation (SSRANZ) President Robert Pei pointed to parallels between the issues surrounding the 1963 agreement and those that arose during the decolonisation of Mauritius in 1968 when the island nation challenged the validity of the 1965 Agreement with the United Kingdom removing the Chagos Archipelago from Mauritian control. According to Pei, the 1963 agreement was invalid from inception as, per a judgement by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Sabah and Sarawak were both still British colonies, and not sovereign nations, at the time and thus had no power to sign treaties.
Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) Sabah Women Chief Pamela Yong said that she doubted the "sincerity" of the federal government and perceived it as a move to temporarily placate discontented residents of the two states. State Reform Party (STAR Sarawak) President Lina Soo, Homeland Solidarity Party (STAR Sabah) President, and MP, Jeffrey Kitingan as well as Nancy Shukri of the United Bumiputera Heritage Party (PBB) of Sarawak all issued statements cautioning against rushing the bill and have strongly emphasised the need for a complete review. Dr Kitingan expressed concerns that the amendment was "shrouded in secrecy", while MP Nancy Shukri is one of many voices urging the government to release a draft to them. The Sarawak committee that is acting as consultants on the negotiations have stated they will refrain from commenting until they have been provided with the contents of the bill.
Chief Minister of Sabah, Shafie Apdal, said that once the amendment was passed, Sabah would consider dropping the word "state" from official documents, where as Chief Minister of Sarawak, Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari, said that the word "state" would be dropped completely. Former Sabah Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) Deputy Commissioner, and lawyer, Hamid Ismail responded to these statements by claiming that such actions would violate the 1963 agreement. United Sabah Party (PBS) Youth Chief Christopher Mandut countered this claim, instead arguing that the use of the word "state" was an inexact translation of "negeri" as used in the modern political sense. He cited Germany and Italy as examples of states that were not "negeri" but were nonetheless referred to as "states" in the sovereign sense. STAR Sarawak President Lina Soo also issued a statement to this effect, saying that "Borneo States" differs from "states of Malaya" ("negeri"), which specifically referred to constituent territories of a sovereign nation. She claimed that the British used "state", when renaming the "British Borneo Territories" to "Borneo States of Sabah and Sarawak", to refer to "self-governing entities with a history, laws, political and social systems".
Opposition leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob expressed the opposition's support for the bill, but he also had concerns over various aspects of its content, such as the absence of any reference to the 1963 agreement. He also expressed concerns that the bill was being rushed through without a careful review by the Parliamentary Select Committee.

### Reactions after the amendment bill tabling on 4 April

In an interview, Nancy Shukri, the PBB MP representing Batang Sadong, perceived the proposed amendment as a "trap" as she could not see how the hastily proposed amendment could restore the position of Sabah and Sarawak. She also noted the absence of several Sarawak PH MPs when the bill was tabled during its first reading on 4 April and added stated her desire for a deferral of the amendment to a select committee for an in-depth review, with an eye towards ensuring related legislation is also amended accordingly. Nonetheless, she called for members of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) to come together in a show of bipartisanship and to cooperate in ensuring the status of Sarawak is restored. STAR Sarawak President Lina Soo also announced her support for a temporary withdrawal of the bill and to debate it in the Sarawak legislative assembly as well as seek the affirmation of the people. She stated her concern that "Without the safeguards and assurances defined in the explanatory statement, this Bill is a manipulative and repugnant act which is like giving a blank cheque to PH to write, or akin to locking ourselves in a prison and throwing the keys away".
A Sarawakian lawyer, Robert Lau Hui Yew from SUPP, dismissed the proposed amendment as "just playing with the construction of a sentence". According to his analysis, the amendment merely splits the 1976 agreement into two parts, but is effectively the same sentence. He further alleges that the drafting of the amendment could have been a simple process and yet "the drafters are trying to confuse and hold on to the assimilated nature of Malaya in the guise of Malaysia". Similar views were also expressed by former Sabah Chief Minister, and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President, Yong Teck Lee together with SUPP Youth Chief Michael Tiang and Sarawak MP Tiong King Sing.
Sarawak Legal Counsel JC Fong further said that the federal government should redefine the "federation term" to achieve equal status for both entities as through the bill reading, there will still be 13 states in Malaysia including Sarawak and Sabah based on Clause (2) in the bill. PBS President Maximus Ongkili described the proposed amendment as a "disappointment" as there is really nothing in it when Sabah continued to be mentioned as one of the 13 states through the tabling on 4 April when the actual reason for the amendment is to restore the position of the two entities as equal partners, adding that is why most of the opposition MPs from both entities proposing a review by a select committee for a study and modification on the bill which then will be referred to the two current state assemblies for debate and adoption before the national Parliament being allowed to make a vote. Another Sabah MP Anifah Aman urge the federal government not to be hasty with a deep study are required before its tabling as the issue has long been a thorny issue and a cause of growing unhappiness amongst Sabahans and Sarawakians residents. Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) political analyst Lee Kuok Tiung calling the amendment as "nonsensical", saying that with such definition during the tabling, he wondering how the two entities can be equal partners. Former Minister in the Prime Minister Department and United Sabah People's Party (PBRS) President Joseph Kurup said the bill is far from what the people in the two entities wished but urging the matter should not being prolonged as it will causing further tense relationship between the two entities with the federation. As a solution, Kurup calling Minister Liew to postponed the tabling and held discussion with all of the involved MPs before presenting the bill again in the Parliament for its second reading and debate. The Vice President of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Yew Chau Khiong said the amendment bill is too "hasty" in its first reading, calling the governments of the two entities together with the Advocates Association of Sarawak (AAS) and Sabah Law Society to make a more in-depth study followed by a discussion on the proposed amendment before being referred to a select committee in Parliament prior to debate and voting as an hasty amendment which just passed for the sake of achieving an objective will only resulting in consequences that affecting the lives of future generations as evidenced in the current situation of both entities.
In response to the claim made by Minister Liew who said the two Chief Ministers have been consulted over the bill, Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Zohari made a clear statement that no approval was given by both Chief Ministers from Sabah and Sarawak on the amendment in its current form with the cabinet committee appointed for the review of the 1963 agreement never discussed the actual wording of the amendment in its meetings. Abang Zohari further explained that they will support any amendment to the Federal Constitution or any law that seeks to restore their rights as according to the 1963 agreement but the amendments must not merely in form but of substantive nature. PBB also respond to the appeal made by Chong Chieng Jen of the DAP in Sarawak through its Information Chief Idris Buang who said the federal government need to respond to a list of claims made by the Sarawak government delegation in the committee reviewing the 1963 agreement which includes Sarawak's stand on non-negotiable matters pertaining to its rights over land, continental shelf, natural resources (oil and gas and mining rights) as well as the special grants and capitation grants along with the need for equal share of parliamentary seats following the exit of Singapore from the federation in 1965 as the proposed amendment is just not simply to get it done to prevent getting a supposed rights restoration which is just "beautiful in the outside, but actually empty inside".

### Response by the federal government and other allied parties on the definition of the bill

Prime Minister Mahathir said afterwards that it is up to Sabah and Sarawak MPs to support the bill, adding that what they have announced is that they will recognise the amendment as an agreement among three entities — the Federation of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak. But as the previous constitution did not make it clear, they have to amend the constitution by getting two-thirds majority vote in the Parliament. Minister Liew also said that both Sabah and Sarawak leaders have been consulted and have deliberated over the issue with both entities will be termed as territories, telling that if the opposition MPs want to establish a separate special select committee on the matter, it can be done but since it is a government bill, it will not initiate a proposal to establish one. During Mahathir visit to Sabah on 6 April, the Prime Minister assuring the public that the amendment is not merely a cosmetic with the federal government will fulfill its promise for the two entities to get equal status to Peninsular Malaysia, officially declaring that:
   We promised we will recognise the signatures to the Malaysia 1963 agreement was by Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. We will recognise these three regions as members of the federation.
Responding to the criticism towards him and the federal government on the bill content definition during the tabling, Minister Liew explained that through the 1963 agreement, every party have agreed on the definition but it became null in 1966 following the Singapore exit from the federation in 1965 where an amendment was made in the year of the nullification. In 1976, another amendment was made to placed both Sabah and Sarawak as "negeri" by dropping the words like "the States of Malaya, namely" and "the Borneo States, namely" from the original definition of the States of the Federation of Malaysia where it receive two-thirds majority vote from the Parliament including the support from the MPs of the two entities itself thus saying the leaders from the two only realising their mistake recently when they who are supposed to oppose the previous 1976 amendment. The statement are similarly echoed by Sarawak PH Chairman Chong Chieng Jen who agreed that it is actually PBB and SUPP MPs who support the downgrade of Sarawak status to one of the 13 states in Malaysia when they were still part of the BN coalition without realising its implications today.
On 7 April, both the Democratic Action Party (DAP) branches in East Malaysia through Chong Chieng Jen for Sarawak and Chan Foong Hin for Sabah appeal to both opposition MPs in the two entities to stop playing politics and remove their egos as the bill will soon be debated and put to vote on 9 April, adding that co-operation between government and opposition MPs are needed to undo the wrongdoings of the past as any failure to pass the bill in the end will only resulting to negative consequences on the negotiation for the rights in the 1963 agreement. Chan explained the amendment were indeed seeking to reverse the previous amendment in 1976 which placed both entities as one of 13 states in Malaysia as the 1963 agreement committee are still doing its work with more amendments to come soon. On the reason behind the exclusion of several phrases as mentioned before, Chong stated that it was due to an earlier discussion made by the committee who feel both of the entities are not the only states on the island of Borneo as there are also the country of Brunei and Indonesian Kalimantan provinces, explaining that the proposed amendment is similar in structure to the original Article 4 (1) of the Federal Constitution even with the exclusion.
Similar views were also expressed earlier by Sarawak PKR lawmaker See Chee How who urging every MPs to put aside their political differences to fulfill the long-waited aspiration and hope of all Sarawakians and Sabahans to right the wrong of the last 43 years, adding that the committee and various working groups on the matters are still deliberating and working with steps are being taken to devolve the autonomous powers to both entities with their report is scheduled to be finalised and revealed by the committee in June. Sarawak Assemblyman from Padungan Wong King Wei further said that opposition MPs should not doubt the present federal government sincerities to restore the rights of the two entities as if they were not care on the issues, they will just ignore by not doing anything like in the past over the matters. He elaborated that several steps as the evidence of the federal government commitment have been shown such as the forming of a special committee on the 1963 agreement and even tabled an amendment bill to the Parliament, adding that the proposed amendment is just one of the first steps to restore the two entities rights as when their status have been restored, both entities can discuss further in the round table of the committee for further negotiations on their rights.
Other PKR MP from Sarawak such as Willie Mongin said the federal government move for the bill tabling is good as one of the first step to legally restore the two entities rights as according to the original 1963 agreement, but openly expressing that he is "displeased" with the words used in the proposed amendment and believed the wording could be refined, adding his proposals that "Sarawak should be stated as Negara Sarawak (the Country of Sarawak) and Sabah as Negara Sabah (the Country of Sabah), not as one [of] the states in the federation" as the previous wording may indicate that both entities are just one of the states in the federation in par with Malay Peninsula states that will causing confusion and misinterpretation. The United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) also distancing their opinion differ than other government allied parties who simply supporting the bill, the party President Wilfred Madius Tangau agreed with the suggestion by opposition MPs to refer the amendment to the special committee before the second reading in Parliament on the evening of 9 April, stressing that the process must be fulfilled if the federal government was really serious in implementing the 1963 agreement and restoring their rights since a bill that was tabled in a rush will only drawn negative reactions from various parties in both of the entities as the amendment have implications that will subsequently transformed the federation governance. Ronald Kiandee of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (PPBM) said the bill must be approved by the MPs from both entities as it had long been anticipated to lift the ranks of the current two states.

### Aftermath of the bill second reading and subsequent voting

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said he did not expect the federal government bid to amend the constitution will fail, explaining that even with the unsatisfied result, they need to respect the decision made by opposition as every lawmaker has the right to vote "whatever they have set their sights on" and stressing the bill was not done in haste. Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail also expressed her deep disappointment over the result since she put a deep hope for the return of both entities status, adding that she thought when seeing the debate session everyone seemed to have agreed. PKR President Anwar Ibrahim blamed the failure on the passage of the bill for the constitutional amendment to both UMNO and BN who are majority seen jointly choose to be "abstained" without giving their concrete reason in the voting, citing that since their long period of administrating the country, they did not even want to review the amendment of the country. He further added that the amendment was very meaningful and historic to the people of the country, especially to Sabah and Sarawak since the matter has been debated for a long time and we have heard the complaints of frustration and sadness of the people from both of the entities, adding that he could not understand why some people still disputed the matter when the old administration could not even moved an inch when they were in power for more than half a century. Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal expressed his very deep disappointment on the failure to amend the constitution. In a statement, he expressed:
   You can imagine, in particular, fundamental things that we cannot agree on and vote for it, what more other things that we can realise. It's already 55 years, we have waited for such a long time ... we are not saying that we should be in a hurry but, for God's sake, this is 55 years, this is a fundamental thing.
Despite the deep disappointment, Shafie said the result of the voting is not the end of their struggle for equalities but instead its just becoming the first one after 55 years with the struggle will continues by all means, adding that he refuse to blaming anyone on the result when asked by the media whether he thought their counterpart Sarawak was to be blame for placing their politics above the bill with the Sabah government would continue their co-operation together with Sarawak government for the return of their rights. Former Chief Minister of Sabah and MP of UPKO, Bernard Giluk Dompok opined that all lawmakers should support the bill because the federal government had done what it was supposed to do to return the two entities status as before the 1976 amendment. Petaling Jaya MP and social activist Maria Chin Abdullah called the 59 MPs who choose to abstained from the voting have shown through their own action that they are really not committed to the country reform agenda where they were blinded by their own political interests and have forsaken the struggles and aspirations of the people in the two entities which as a direct result of their conducts, these MPs have effectively retained both Sabah and Sarawak as only states in the federation of Malaysia. Minister of International Trade and Industry and President of the Sabah Heritage Party (WARISAN) Darell Leiking said the majority decision taken by opposition MPs evidently showing they have no dignity towards their voters, adding that it was a historical moment for the country when the Prime Minister have willing to read out the rationale behind amending the constitution which would have reinstated our status to the pre-1976 amendment, but instead all of these efforts been wasted by the opposition MPs. The PH coalition in Sarawak through their Secretary Senator, Alan Ling expressed their great disappointment as the historical opportunity to restore both entities status had been dashed to the ground by the decision of the opposition to abstained from voting, adding that the opposition especially GPS had intentionally failing the aspirations of Sarawakians which is totally unacceptable and beyond any justification with any further excuses given by GPS MPs have no merit as the wording on the proposed amendment have been agreed to be redefined as in the original version of 1963 agreement. Despite the failure of the bill passage, Minister Liew has stated that they would never give up and would continue to fight for the people especially for those in the two entities, calling the action by a small group of parliamentarians not voting for the amendment was unreasonable and detrimental to the society with the moment will forever be remembered and identified by the generation as those who preventing the return of the two entities status.
GPS through its SUPP President Sim Kui Hian said the blame should not been thrown on them, but instead the federal government should have listened earlier to their demands to amend the definition of the "federation" as a federation that were established through the 1963 agreement, not under the federation term as inscribed in the 1957 Malaya Agreement. STAR Sarawak President Lina Soo called the failure to pass the bill as a "landmark victory" for Sarawakians and Sabahans, praising that the political maturity of the people in the two entities has reached new heights which is not seen since the formation of the country. She adding that the people had voiced out loud and clear that any constitutional amendment without adhering to the principle of the 1963 agreement must be rejected where she also insisted that any constitutional amendment which would have subsequent effect to the political position of the two entities must first be brought before the current state legislative assembly for legitimacy. Responding to the "landmark victory" as claimed by opposition allied parties, Sabah Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee described the move by the opposition as just to politicising the issue too much with their abstention from the bill voting just for the sake of opposing. Former law lecturer Abdul Aziz Bari also said those opposition MPs who didn't vote for the amendment bill could have actually used their debate time to point out what they saw as lacking in it and ask for the gaps to be filled, calling the suggestion made by an opposition MP from Pengerang, Azalina Othman Said for the need of a select committee before the bill tabling are actually just to wasting the time. The adviser of the Sabah government on the 1963 agreement, Zainnal Ajamain said following the result, the two entities lost their opportunity to restore their status as equal partners. In a statement, he said:
   We know that in the first reading there are problems, but in the second reading [the content] is taken from MA63, word by word, unchanged … then it was also rejected. [The defeat of the amendment] has big implications. We have been waiting for 55 years, then we have this rare opportunity. The opportunity is there, but some people are still dissatisfied … It's up to them. I think the dissatisfied party should now think deeply, to reflect on what has happened and read as well understand [the 1963 agreement] better.
An independent Sabah MP, Anifah Aman stated that even the Parliament failed to pass the bill, the fight for equal partnership will never end. The leader of the opposition, Ismail Sabri Yaakob stressed that even the opposition choose to abstained in the voting, the bill are not actually lost since not even a single opposition MPs rejecting the bill, adding that the federal government should not have been rushed for its tabling in the Parliament but instead taken it up for a thorough discussion at the parliamentary select committee as if the joint committee have expressing their views along with their facts, both can jointly support the amendment since he himself also questioned the amendment bid's significance to the two entities which according to him would only highlight the difference between those in the peninsula and those in Borneo from a geographical perspective. Similar opinion were also expressed by an UMNO Supreme Council Member and former MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan who said that he did not blame the Prime Minister for what has happened as the bill was originally drafted by Minister Liew who failed to understand what opposition MPs from the two entities really wanted with regard to the amendment, adding that if the bill was earlier sent to the select committee, it surely be a win-win situation for all concerned parties with the Prime Minister would receive praises from all quarters. Similar views were expressed by Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari. Another opposition MP of MCA from Ayer Hitam, Wee Ka Siong said the proposed bill is done in rush and merely a cosmetic change, stressing that the opposition only want the bill to be looked into carefully and diligently for the constitutional amendment. Nevertheless, with the unaccomplished goals, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Wilfred Madius Tangau hopes the steering committee on the 1963 agreement chaired by the Prime Minister would meet as soon as possible to further discuss steps that will be taken by the Sabah government. On the proposal to re-tabling the bill in the Parliament as the bill should be referred first to a special committee, Prime Minister Mahathir answered the question that a discussion will be held with involved MPs on the matter with the re-tabling would depend on "needs". The Sabah Legislative Assembly through Chief Minister Shafie had announced they would table emergency motion regarding the 1963 agreement in the nearest time to regain their rights despite the bill failure following the request made by one of the assemblyman, Masidi Manjun. On 18 April, the Sabah assembly unanimously passed a motion to endorse the proposed amendment if it gets re-tabled in the national Parliament. The Sarawak Legislative Assembly follow suits on 30 April by unanimously approves motion for constitutional amendments on Sarawak's rights with the motion includes a provision for the amendment of Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution by inserting "pursuant to Malaysia Agreement 1963" which subsequently read as: "The States of the Federation, pursuant to Malaysian Agreement 1963, shall be".
Local analysts hold the view that the failure for the bill passage is not end on the struggle of both entities to restore their status, urging both sides of political factions either from the government and opposition to stop blaming each other and moving forwards towards a solution for the betterment of the residents in the two entities. Other political analysts also in the position that the opposition faction of GPS did not simply want the bill to fail, but instead just want to ensure it is done correctly, adding that despite the bill failure, the federal government must move forward to correct the long historical grievances in the two entities before it is escalated into far more secessionist option with the growing frustration and unhappiness.
During the celebration of Sarawak Day on 22 July, Sarawak Association for People's Aspiration (SAPA) reminded the federal government to not wasting further time to restore Sarawak's rights and status under the 1963 agreement with the increase independence sentiment among the people. Further on 25 July, Sabah Chief Minister Shafie said that Prime Minister Mahathir will announce the restoration of both Sabah and Sarawak rights in the nearest time. On 17 December, Minister Liew announced that the proposed amendment to be re-tabled in March 2020 following a reach consensus through a three-way meeting between Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Sabah Chief Minister Shafie Apdal and Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Zohari held at the Prime Minister's office on 16 December 2019.

## 2021 amendment to the Constitution of Malaysia

Two years after the failed attempt, on 16 September 2021, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob pledged to look into issues relating to Sabah and Sarawak via the Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963. The amendments were tabled on 3 November 2021, consisting of four changes, being restoring Sabah and Sarawak as "territories", defining Malaysia Day as the day when Sabah and Sarawak joined and changes to the definition of the Federation, and defining who are natives of Sabah and Sarawak. On 14 December 2021, the proposed amendment was passed in the Parliament unanimously with 199 votes in favour, and 21 MPs absent from the 6-hour long debate. The law came into force on 11 February 2022.