KUCHING: All MPs regardless of their political alliance should acknowledge the foundation for the Federation of Malaysia by supporting necessary constitutional amendments for representation of at least one-third in Parliament for Sabah and Sarawak.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth chief Michael Tiang said the legislation would empower Sabah and Sarawak to safeguard their constitutional position under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“It is absolutely pointless to call Sarawak and Sabah equal partners in the Federation of Malaysia if the parliamentary representations of both states do not constitute at least one-third of the sitting MPs,” he said in a statement on Friday.
Tiang said this in support of Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s statement that Sarawak would continue to fight for its right in restoring the allocation of at least one third representation for East Malaysia in the Parliament.
“All we are asking for is to restore the Borneo states original parliamentary representation status when we formed this Federation in 1963, and not asking for something new without basis,” he pointed out.
He said it was an undisputed fact that when Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak formed the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, the parliamentary representations for Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak constituted 34.6 percent of the total seats in Parliament.
“The way of parliamentary seats allocation in 1963 was not without significance, but to allow Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak to safeguard their constitutional position in the parliament.
“However, since Singapore broke away from the Federation in 1965, both Borneo states were never given sufficient parliamentary seats to make up their one-third representation in Parliament in order to safeguard their constitutional position,” he said.
At present, Sarawak and Sabah have 56 seats out of 222 seats in Parliament, accounting for only 25 percent.
“Hence, it is pointless to say Sabah and Sarawak are equal partners to Malaya, when both states total parliamentary representations aren’t even enough to safeguard our own special rights and position,” said Tiang.
