KUCHING: Having equitable parliamentary seats is part of the efforts to preserve the rights of Sarawak and Sabah in the Federal Constitution.
Vice president of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah pointed out that when Malaysia was formed in 1963, Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore held 35 per cent of the overall parliamentary seats.
“However, after Singapore left Malaysia, most of the seats that Singapore once held, were taken by Peninsular Malaysia, which made Sarawak and Sabah having less that 30 per cent of the parliamentary seats.
“During that time, if I am not mistaken, the seats held by Sarawak and Sabah were only 25 or 26 per cent.
“And that is why, us requesting for more parliamentary seats is important because this is related to the preservation of the rights of Sarawak and Sabah.”
He said this when asked on PBB’s resolution in urging the federal government to increase the number of Parliamentary constituencies in Sarawak in line with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) after the launching ceremony of Habib jewellery shop at The Spring in Kuching on Tuesday (October 10).
“This push is very important because if Peninsular Malaysia holds more than 2/3 seats at Parliament, they (Peninsular Malaysia) have the potential to amend the law without consent from Sarawak and Sabah.
“Thus, such action would destroy the rights of Sarawak and Sabah that were enshrined in the MA63,” he added.
Abdul Karim said that PBB, together with the people of Sarawak and Sabah would like to maintain the ratio of parliamentary seats just like how it was when Malaysia was formed.
“That is why we are asking for that and it has become part of our current negotiation with the federal government,” he added.
PBB will set up a committee to study the proposal before forwarding it to the
Election Commission (EC) for consideration and approval.
