Our unique federal set-up always evolving

THIS Saturday will be the 54th anniversary of Malaysia Day. Most Malaysians agree that the new federal union in 1963 between the Federation of Malaya and the Borneo states has brought security, prosperity and development to both sides. Yet, there are simmering tensions about the alleged whittling down of the privileges promised in 1963.

These privileges are explicated in many venerated historical documents and in the Malaysia Act and the Federal Constitution. The Consti­tution was amended significantly in 87 provisions and 10 Schedules. Thirty-five new Articles were inserted to confer on Sabah and Sarawak many special rights in our unique federal set-up.