KOTA KINABALU, May 22 (Daily Express) -- Sabah and Sarawak became just like any other State under the Federation of Malaysia after the first 10-year review of the Federal Constitution, according to Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili.

The Science, Technology and Innovation Minister said this was among the changes made to the Federal Constitution following the review.

"Keep in mind. There were some changes to the Federal Constitution, which I think was done during the mid-1970s, that was after the first 10-year review. Then the constitution changed," he said.

"We used to say, for instance, the Malaysian Federation consists of the states in the Malay Federation and the states of Sabah and Sarawak before it (constitution) was amended after the review. After it was amended then it stated that the federation consists of all the states including Sabah and Sarawak," said Dr Maximus, who is Kota Marudu Member of Parliament.

He, however, disagreed with Prof. Dr Ranjit Singh of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) who opined it was not wrong to say that Sabah and Sarawak joined Malaysia.

Dr Maximus said Sabah and Sarawak became part of Malaysia through the merger of five entities at that time, namely, Sabah, Sarawak, Singapore and the Malay Federation.

"So when we said we formed Malaysia, that is the history.

I don't think we can argue against that. The basis was a merger under the same roof in the first place," he said.

Dr Maximus was commenting on a Daily Express report Friday quoting Prof. Dr Ranjit that Sabah and Sarawak cannot really claim that the Federation of Malaysia is a partnership of three equal members.

Dr Ranjit had said while this position might have had validity when the Malaysia Agreement was signed, both states accepted the new Constitution of Malaysia whereby the Federal structure applied to all states in an equal manner except for the special state rights of Sabah and Sarawak, which were recognised and guaranteed.

"But of course this is (done) through discussions and negotiations between representatives of the states including from Sabah and Sarawak during that time when the first 10-year review was made," said Dr Maximus.

"I think he (Dr Ranjit) was talking in an ideal manner. But the books do not show that way.

But whatever he said, to me the Federal-State relationship is a dynamic process, it's perundingan (negotiation) all the way," he said.

"And I think without even politicising the whole thing, a lot more can be achieved for Sabah and Sarawak. This is rather than shouting in the air out there."

Dr Maximus said this at a press conference after flagging-off 40 vehicles with the "Malaysia Inovatif 2010" logo sticker, in conjunction with the Malaysia Innovative Carnival 2010 (MI2010) Sabah Zone promotion campaign, at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) departure hall here.

The two-day carnival will be held at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) here on May 28.