KUCHING: The Sarawak Patriot Association (SPA) is hopeful Sarawak’s demand to restore the one-third parliamentary representation can be resolved promptly by the federal government.
Its chairman Datuk Dr John Lau said the state’s demand aligns with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), where Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore joined as equal partners.
“Achieving one-third representation honours this founding principle, offering Sabah and Sarawak more balanced political representation within the federation,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
He explained the one-third representation in Parliament includes both Sabah and Sarawak, as was originally intended when the Federation of Malaysia was formed.
“Singapore’s unexpected separation from the federation threw this one-third arrangement into disarray and there have been no attempts made to correct this imbalance since 1965 to restore the one-third parliamentary representation.
“Today, Sarawak seeks to correct this historical oversight, advocating for a return to the agreed representation,” he said.
He pointed out that the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) chairman Lord Lansdowne stated in the House of Lords Malaysia Bill debate on July 27, 1963 that the 34.6 per cent seat allocation was the decisive factor that convinced Sabah and Sarawak leaders to accept federation with Malaya and Singapore.
“It was implied, if not accepted and agreed from the manner and number of seats allocated then, that Sabah (16 seats) and Sarawak (24 seats) can vote together with Singapore (15 seats) – making a total of 55 seats or 34.6 per cent of the overall 159 parliamentary seats then.
“Malaya was allocated 104 seats or 65.4 per cent of the total number of Parliamentary seats.
“In other words, this was a foundational term that cannot be amended or removed from the Federal Constitution without the concurrence of the Borneo States of Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
He added currently there are 222 parliamentary seats, with Sabah holding 25 and Sarawak (31), while West Malaysian states have a combined total of 166 seats.
“In percentage terms, the Borneo states have 25 per cent while West Malaysia has 75 per cent, and this distribution grants West Malaysia more than a two-thirds majority,” he said.
He added when Sabah and Sarawak are granted one-third representation, more seats for Sabah and Sarawak would amplify their voice in Parliament.
“More seats allocated to Sabah and Sarawak will obviously give them greater strength in numbers and power to decide on policies and governance,” he said.
On the implications of this demand on relations with Peninsular Malaysia, he said: “It depends on how far or tough the demands are made and decided.”
“There is also a possibility of strained relationships between the federal government and the Borneo states over this issue. To what extent, that is the question,” he said.
He also said that for too long, parliament and parliamentary seats have been dominated by Malayan-based parties with the Borneo states playing second fiddle in contrast to their status as equal founding partners.
“This was not in the spirit of MA63 as far as parliamentary representation was concerned,” he said.
On the way forward, he hoped there would be a diplomatic approach by the Sarawak government to pursue the demand.
“A diplomatic approach is the best option for a ‘win-win’ outcome.
“There are also legal and constitutional avenues which our state legal advisers can offer guidance,” he said.
The demand by the Sarawak government for one-third of the Parliamentary seats is based on the safeguards and assurances outlined during the formation of Malaysia, specifically documented in the Cobbold Commission Report and the IGC Report.
