KOTA KINABALU: Reinstating one-third of parliamentary representation each for Sabah and Sarawak is the only way to address disparities in governance, says senior lawyer Datuk Roger Chin.
The former Sabah Law Society president said equitable representation for Sabah, Sarawak and Malaya was promised under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and was pivotal in the formation of Malaysia.
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"This is not merely symbolic, (but) a practical necessity to ensure that the interests and needs of Sabah and Sarawak are adequately addressed in national policy decisions," he said Monday (Sept 16) amid growing calls for the reinstatement of equitable representation.
It was diluted when Singapore left the federation in 1965 with most of its parliamentary numbers reassigned to Peninsular Malaysia and the remainder divided between Sabah and Sarawak, he noted.
On the suggestion to increase the number of Bornean state senators in the Dewan Negara, Chin said the upper House had limited legislative power.
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"While it can review and delay Bills, it does not possess the authority to make final decisions on legislative matters.
"The Senate’s role is largely one of oversight rather than direct lawmaking, so it is an insufficient substitute for the substantial legislative influence wielded by the Dewan Rakyat," he added.
"True partnership and equity require not just symbolic gestures but substantial changes that reflect the spirit and commitments of MA63," he said.
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Reform advocate Projek Sama had on Sunday (Sept 15) proposed an increase of 15 senators each for Sabah and Sarawak in the Dewan Negara.
In response, Sarawakian Senator Robert Lau Hui Yew said on Monday that the one-third Dewan Rakyat representation should be fulfilled instead as this was where "the real power lies".
He made the call on the basis of fulfilling the promise made in MA63.
