SIMANGGANG: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) wants to keep the seat distribution ratio between Sarawak and Sabah if the return of 35 per cent of the 222 parliamentary seats to the two states is approved later.
Its chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said GPS at a Special Council on Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MKMA63) meeting a few days ago agreed in principle on the matter.
“We submitted the details to the Election Commission (EC) as well as on the number of parliamentary seats.
“We’re only asking since I brought up the matter and GPS believes that the total number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak should be 35 per cent, but it is up to the EC.
“However, the EC should take a look at the ratio now. Sarawak has 31 parliamentary seats and Sabah has 25… if more seats are added, the EC must follow the same ratio,” he told reporters in a press conference after officiating at the Sri Aman Benak Festival 2022 on Saturday (Sept 10).
He explained that the demand for 35 per cent share of the 222 parliamentary seats across the country was made to have a balance of power, particularly when it comes to upholding the spirit of MA63.
“This is due to the fact that the Federal Constitution can be amended if two-thirds of all MPs support it.
“So, we need to protect ourselves because if there is no 35 per cent of parliamentary seats, they (Peninsular Malaysia parties) can amend the constitution at any time, which will have a negative impact on what is written in the constitution.
“We have a rational federal government today, but we don’t know in future if the leaders at the federal level will have such a spirit – they can erase the spirit of MA63 by amending the constitution.
“As a result, we must preserve the spirit of MA63 so that it does not affect both sides, and we desire a strong country with a unified people,” he pointed out.
On whether the demand for the seats could be implemented before the 15th General Election (GE15), Abang Johari said there was no need to rush.
“Why rush? What matters is that the principles are clear, so long as they can meet our expectations for 35 per cent of the parliamentary seats.”
“I am grateful to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob for listening to Sabah and Sarawak’s wishes and being able to provide balance in terms of the number of parliamentarians,” he said.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, State Secretary Datuk Seri Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture and Regional Development Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Special Advisor to the Premier Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, Deputy Minister of Talent Development Datuk Francis Harden Hollis and Sri Aman Resident Sirai Daha.
