KUCHING: Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian is hoping that Sarawakians and Sabahans know the importance of having a one-third representation in the Parliament and it should be given to the two East Malaysian states.
He reasoned that if Sarawak and Sabah do not have one-third representation, the states would lose their power to bargain for their rights from the federal government. “Imagine if we do not have one-third representation in the Parliament.
We cannot bargain for our rights anymore,” said the Barisan Nasional candidate for Stampin at the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Talk in Kota Sentosa here Monday night. He worried that if Sarawak and Sabah do not have one-third representation and if Peninsular Malaysia goes all out for their own interest, including taking away the rights of Sarawak and Sabah, the two East Malaysian states would be helpless and could not do anything about it.
According to him, out of the 222 parliamentary seats nationwide, Sarawak and Sabah have 56 seats, and Sim voiced his disappointment that both states currently only have 25 percent of seats in the country when they should collectively be given more. In the talk, Sim also questioned the offer made by Pakatan Harapan – why only one representative from Sarawak when there are six ministers from Sarawak in the present Cabinet.
“This offer made by Pakatan Harapan reflects their attitude that West Malaysians come first. They never reflect that Sarawakians come first. “At the moment, we have six Sarawakian members in the federal Cabinet.
But you (Pakatan Harapan) just offer us only one,” he said adding the Sarawak BN would surely win at least 25 seats. These seats won by Sarawak BN can decide who gets the majority out the 222 seats nationwide to form the government.
“It’s unfortunate that SUPP did not win any Chinese seats in the last general election to allow a Chinese representative from Sarawak in the Cabinet. “Before that, we always have a Sarawakian Chinese representation – Tan Sri Ong Kee Hui, Tan Sri Stephen Yong, Tan Sri Law Hieng Ding and Tan Sri Peter Chin.
As long as a Chinese from Sarawak BN wins in this coming election, I am confident that this tradition of having a Sarawakian Chinese in the federal cabinet will continue,” said the Stampin candidate. Also present were SUPP Public Complaints Bureau chief Wilfred Yap, SUPP Batu Kitang Branch Secretary Amy Tnay and SUPP Youth Secretary-General Milton Foo.
