KUALA LUMPUR – The call by Borneo MPs to have one-third representation in Parliament is now being deliberated by the federal attorney-general, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said a report was handed to the AG after the matter was discussed in the Equal Status Working Committee which comes under the Special Malaysia Agreement 1963 Council.
Ongkili noted that there is a widespread call from Borneo MPs to increase Sabah and Sarawak’s representation in Parliament to a third of its seats.
He recalled that the matter was also raised in the Parliamentary Special Select Committee in 2012 when he was its chairman.
“A report by the committee on this matter was presented and approved by Parliament in 2012,” he said.
“I have suggested that all the Sabah and Sarawak MPs discuss this demand with openness, and organise and present their decision to the Election Commission.
“There were also views that the matter should be tabled in the state assemblies of Sabah and Sarawak first before increasing the number of seats,” he said.
Ongkili was responding to questions posed by the MPs of Igan, Hulu Rajang, Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu, Papar, Sibuti, Kota Samarahan, Betong, Kinabatangan, Kota Belud, Lanang, Keningau, and Serian.
In 1963, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore held 35% of the parliamentary seats while Malaya had 65%. Singapore was ejected from Malaysia in 1965.
By 2008, Sabah and Sarawak held only 25% of the total seats.
Ongkili said there is a demand that the revision restore the Borneo states’ representation to how it was in 1963. – The Vibes, March 17, 2022
