KUCHING: Sabah and Sarawak must continue the battle and remain firm to secure one-third of the seats in Parliament for fairness and a balanced representation.
Political observer Datuk Peter Minos said when Singapore was part of Malaysia from 1963 to 1965, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore together held one-third of the seats in Parliament.
“This was a safeguard, ensuring that Malaya couldn’t pass laws that might harm the interests of these regions.
“After Singapore’s exit, its seats were all taken by Malaya and hence Sabah and Sarawak are seeking to restore their one-third parliamentary representation,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
Minos noted that a two-thirds majority is required to amend any provision of the Federal Constitution.
Having one-third of the seats, Minos said, would prevent any amendments to the Federal Constitution that might sideline Sabah and Sarawak’s interests.
“Sabah and Sarawak demand is very important politically. Without one-third seats in Parliament, anything can happen. It’s a matter of prevention — better than cure.
“The two Borneo States are physically bigger than Peninsular Malaysia, though not in population, so the demand for one-third of the seats is a form of prevention.
“To me, it looks fair for Sabah and Sarawak to have one-third seats in Parliament,” he said.
He went on to say that with the one-third parliamentary seats restored, it is a safeguard that would provide peace of mind for these states.
“We don’t know what future federal governments dominated by Peninsular Malaysians might do. It could go well, or it could go badly, using the Constitution to undermine Sabah and Sarawak. Fairness needs constitutional safeguards and assurance,” he said.
He also believed that there might have been an understanding in the early years of Malaysia’s formation concerning the one-third parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak.
“There might have been a silent gentleman’s agreement between the top leaders in 1962 or 1963, possibly outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said.
On possible implications of this demand on the relationship between Sarawak, Sabah, and Peninsular Malaysia, Minos said there may be resistance from Peninsular Malaysia.
“But Sabah and Sarawak must win for their own good and interest. We are a federation, the three original countries joining to form a nation and there must be safeguards,” he said.
He also said there will be challenges but the two Borneo States must stand together and continue to demand for it.
“If we fail to do so, we will pay a heavy price in the future,” he said, while saying that Sarawak’s struggle with Petronas over some oil and gas revenue serves as a lesson for all.
Minos therefore encouraged further discussion within both state legislative assemblies (DUNs) of Sabah and Sarawak and among the public.
“Maybe Sabah and Sarawak can bring up the issue in the DUNs and get a unanimous decision from all sides and face Peninsular Malaysia.
“Meanwhile, a rigorous public debate and deliberation is needed here to get Sabahans and Sarawakians to be fully aware of the issue and to support the matter,” he said.
He further sees that the demand is not a fight against Peninsular Malaysia, but a push for constitutional rights and security within the federation.
“We’re simply fighting for our rights and our future in the federation, doing it legally and properly, and for the long-term interests of Malaysia as a whole,” he said.
