KUCHING, March 22: The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) Sarawak Pro-tem State Executive Committee are supportive of the move to increase parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak from the existing 25 per cent to 35 per cent.
This comes after Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili issued a statement saying that he would discuss further with MPs from Sabah and Sarawak on such a move.
“We remain in support of any efforts in increasing parliamentary seats for Sarawak and Sabah. We believe that this is very important to ensure that the voices of both regions are heard along with the power to make important decisions in Parliament.
“Many of the problems in the two regions can be addressed and resolved immediately if there is more representation in Parliament,” it said in a press statement issued today.
It explained that since Singapore left Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia has 75 per cent of the seats in Parliament, which is more than two-thirds of the seats, while Sabah and Sarawak have only 25 per cent.
“Therefore, it is necessary for the Borneo States to get at least one-third of the seats in Parliament. This is to respect the status of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners as enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“With that, Muda Sarawak asks the ministry and related parties to continue discussions and coordination in realising this matter in the near future.
“This is a right for Sabah and Sarawak that must be given for the benefit of the people in the region and the future of our children.” — DayakDaily
