KUCHING: Sarawak’s demand to restore the 35 per cent or one-third parliamentary seat quota is based on the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and not driven by political motives or division.
In stating this, political analyst Professor Dr Neilson Ilan Mersat stated that the demand aligns with MA63’s emphasis on fair representation for the two Bornean regions at the federal level.
“We may not have been outspoken in the past, but with today’s information access, our people are now aware of historical documents previously unknown to many.
“People now have greater awareness of the original agreements made during Malaysia’s formation, leading them to question why certain promises have not been fully upheld,” he said when contacted.
Dr Neilson dismissed claims that the demand seeks greater political power, explaining that the quota is to ensure Sabah and Sarawak voices are respected in decision-making at the federal level.
“As I see it, it is nothing more than that and it is not about seeking separation from Malaysia. But, we are just merely asking what has been promised, should be given to us,” he said.
He added that when the one-third quota is restored, Sarawak voices cannot be ignored anymore.
“It doesn’t mean we gain more power, but rather, they (federal government) will pay attention to us because we have that one-third representation,” he said.
He added that the request acts as a safeguard to protect Sabah and Sarawak interests within the federation.
On potential tensions from this demand, Dr Neilson said some tensions may arise especially since it involved a large number of seats.
“But this needs to be understood in the context of the agreement that has been made in the past.
“The MA63 is made arbitrarily or without basis. So that’s what needs to be understood about this demand,” he said.
As to whether the federal government would fulfil the demand on the one-third of the parliamentary seats to Sabah and Sarawak, Dr Neilson said the federal government could voice out various reasons.
“The federal side often brings up the issue of voter numbers. If one-third is granted, it means that our voter numbers will be less than those in the peninsula – that is one of the arguments.
“However, we see MA63 as a safeguard, a kind of protection for Sabah and Sarawak. It was put in place to ensure the rights of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore at that time,” he said.
Thus, he said it was very important to look at the spirit of the agreement.
He stressed the legitimacy of Sarawak’s request as it was promised to Sabah and Sarawak during Malaysia’s formation.
“We, Sabah, Sarawak along with Singapore, especially we in Sabah and Sarawak, became part of the federation. So, many concessions had to be made then.
“So, I believe that because this is part of MA63, there is nothing wrong with us putting forward this demand, because it was promised to us in the past,” he said.
He said when Sarawak is granted the one-third parliamentary seats, it is not about the state going to oppose the federal government.
“I think that is not the correct spirit, but you have to look at it as one of the safeguards for the agreed-upon interests,” he said.
When asked about the way forward, he commended Sarawak leaders for pursuing this matter and expressed optimism that it would be considered at the federal level, though no decision has been made.
He added thus far many other demands have already been met by the federal government, indicating that they acknowledge or are aware of the importance of MA63.
Currently, Sarawak has 31 parliament seats and Sabah holds only 25 seats, for a total of 56 seats or 25 per cent of the total 222 seats in Parliament.
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 Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report.
