by Amanda L
KUCHING, Jan 24: Discussions on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), particularly the proposal to increase parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak, are still ongoing as they involve complex legal interpretations and constitutional requirements, said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof.
Speaking to reporters after attending the Shell LiveWIRE Malaysia National Awards Ceremony here today, Fadillah said while there is policy-level and principled agreement on the need for additional parliamentary representation, its implementation depends on negotiations that are still underway.
He explained that increasing the number of parliamentary seats poses the biggest challenge as it requires approval in Parliament with a two-thirds majority.
“If agreed, it has to be brought to Parliament, and our Parliament requires two-thirds support. That means engagement needs to be carried out.
“In principle, there is agreement on increasing the seats, but whether what is being requested by Sabah and Sarawak can be realised depends on the ongoing negotiations,” he said.
On the issue of health autonomy, which was previously raised by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian during committee meetings, Fadillah said the matter will be further detailed at the upcoming technical meetings.
He added that the recent changes in Cabinet composition had affected the meeting schedule, but with the reappointment of the Minister in charge of Sabah and Sarawak affairs, discussions are expected to resume soon.
“We will detail this in the next technical meeting. Since there have been changes in the Cabinet composition, and now that we have a Minister for Sabah and Sarawak Affairs again, he will initiate the meeting.
“After that, it will be brought to the technical committee before being tabled at the highest-level negotiation council as soon as possible,” he said.
Fadillah added that discussions at the officer level need to be finalised promptly before matters can be elevated to the technical committee.
Asked whether decisions had already been brought to the technical level, he said this had not yet happened as the newly appointed minister needed time to settle into the role.
On the issue of Sarawak’s State legislative assembly resolution regarding parliamentary seat distribution, Fadillah said any proposal approved at the State level would still need to be brought to Parliament.
However, he explained that changes involving Sarawak’s State seats do not require a two-thirds majority, making them less challenging, though any increase beyond 25 per cent representation would still need such approval.
Responding to queries on the involvement of the Ministry of Economy and the Economic Planning Unit in the relevant committees, Fadillah confirmed that both are already represented through appointed officers. — DayakDaily
