He said his ministry had started talks with key stakeholders such as MPs, Sabah and Sarawak leaders and state attorney-generals to explain the amendments.

However he stopped short of saying which are the articles under the Federal Constitution that the government wants to amend.

“To date, the initiative has received support from Sabah chief minister Hajiji Noor. I will be meeting with Sarawak chief minister Abang Johari Openg to discuss the matter soon,” Wan Junaidi said in a statement.

He added the constitutional amendments are crucial as it would “provide clarity on the position of Sabah and Sarawak as well as the people, particularly the natives of Sabah and Sarawak”.

“Over the years, there has been erosion in Sabah and Sarawak rights as stated in MA63. We hope to rectify this by amending some critical provisions in the Federal Constitution,” Wan Junaidi said.

Previously, Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) government failed to secure the two-third support needed to amend Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution, in restoring Sabah and Sarawak’s status.

Only 138 MPs voted in favour of the amendment while 59 MPs abstained. A total of 148 votes are needed to secure a two-third majority.

The PH government formed a Special Cabinet Committee to review the MA63, as well as a technical committee to study the claims of Sabah and Sarawak for the return of rights enshrined in the Constitution and which have been eroded or surrendered to Putrajaya over the years.