00:00A constitutional lawyer said the 11 Malayan states can only secure greater autonomy if
00:08material amendments are made to the federal constitution.
00:12Bastian Pius van Dagen said the constitution's current framework is premised on federalism,
00:18with Putrajaya wielding considerable power and influence.
00:22He said the additional rights and autonomy granted to Sabah and Sarawak by virtue of
00:26the 1963 Malaysia Agreement must be considered in a separate light.
00:31Van Dagen was responding to Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim's suggestion for reform
00:37of the federal system so that Johor is treated more as a partner.
00:41Tunku Ismail had also suggested that Johor-based political parties unite in a coalition known
00:46as Kabungan Bangsa Johor to protect the state's interests.
00:51Meanwhile, lawyer Hanif Khatri Abdullah said Johor could not be treated as a federal partner
00:57due to historical and constitutional perspectives.
01:00He said the Federation of Malaya, which Johor was a part of, was created under the 1948
01:06and 1957 agreements, in which the Malay monarchs gave away most of their rights to administer
01:12their states.
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