KUCHING: Sarawak leaders have welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to increase Borneo parliamentary representation, while emphasising that the pledge must now yield concrete, historical safeguards.
State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (pic) said efforts must be made to implement the decision so that it does not remain in principle only.
“This will finally fulfil the hopes of Malaysians from Sabah and Sarawak. It must not only be the Prime Minister’s view in principle but must be seen to be done,” he said.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced yesterday that the Cabinet had agreed in principle to increase Sabah and Sarawak’s parliamentary seats in a way that raises their overall representation.
Abdul Karim said the original one-third share of seats for Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak was meant to safeguard their interests.
“That’s also the reason why Sabah and Sarawak have demanded the one-third representation to be maintained.
“Many previous prime ministers and MPs had brushed this aside, using the argument that this arrangement was never penned or specifically stated in the Federal Constitution.
“Thank you PMX for understanding what they could not see,” he added.
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian also said it was important to ensure that Sabah and Sarawak had one-third representation in Parliament.
“This is part of the spirit of Malaysia’s formation that Sabah and Sarawak’s interests be safeguarded by having one-third of parliamentary seats, as per the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) report,” he said.
As such, he said the Federal Government’s intention is not just about the number of seats.
“One-third representation for Sabah and Sarawak is also good for Malaysia’s overall nation-building,” he added.
Senator Abun Sui Anyit welcomed Anwar’s commitment to increase Sabah and Sarawak’s parliamentary representation, saying this must now proceed through the constitutional process towards a concrete and meaningful outcome.
He said the increase must be based on the constitutional arrangements and principles underpinning Malaysia’s formation and not merely treated as an ordinary increase in the number of parliamentary seats.
“I believe the Prime Minister is fully aware of the historical and constitutional circumstances surrounding the formation of Malaysia in 1963, including the position of Sabah and Sarawak within the Federation.
“What is important now is to allow the government under PMX to continue working within the maximum extent permitted by the Federal Constitution to fulfil the commitments under MA63.”
