KUCHING: Putrajaya must first determine how the one-third representation formula for Sabah and Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat will be implemented before any additional parliamentary seats are created, says Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
Nancy, who is Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu women’s movement vice-president, said she and several Sarawak leaders, including Cabinet members, had raised the issue, although discussions previously focused more on increasing representation in the state legislative assembly.
“Speaking on voicing out in terms of (parliamentary) seats, I am with Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi in Cabinet.
“How that one-third formula is to be created needs to be discussed together, in terms of legislation,” she said after attending the Motivation and Guidance Programme for Study Opportunities and the UiTM Sarawak branch academic exhibition at SMK Bako here yesterday.
Nancy, who is also the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, said discussions were needed between the Sarawak Premier, the Sabah Chief Minister and the Federal Government to determine the appropriate method and mechanism for implementing the formula.
She said the discussions should take into account the interests of all parties before any decision was made on increasing the number of parliamentary seats, reported Bernama.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had earlier said the government had agreed in principle to increase the proportion of Sabah and Sarawak representation in the Dewan Rakyat, in line with the two regions’ position in the formation of Malaysia under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He said the decision was among the key matters agreed upon at the MA633 Implementation Action Council meeting.
