KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13: Sarawak’s desire to create 12 new parliamentary seats in the State should be implemented, said Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary-general Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
He said the proposed redelineation exercise takes into account and is in line with the provisions contained in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), TVS reported.
“Following this, I strongly agree with the idea to create new parliamentary seats in Sarawak as emphasised by the Premier of Sarawak (Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) in the Inter-governmental Committee (IGC) report.
“Now, the time has come (for implementation) because there is indeed a provision in the Federal Constitution for a redelineation exercise to be made and established for parliamentary seats in the Dewan Rakyat,” he said.
On Oct 8, Abang Johari stated that Sarawak will look into the proposal of creating new parliamentary seats in line with the provisions of MA63.
He said a special committee will be set up at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu’s (PBB) level to oversee the matter before bringing it up to the Election Commission (EC) for approval.
To date, Sarawak has 31 parliamentary seats and the formation of the new seats is necessary to ensure the distribution of one-third parliamentary seats to Sabah and Sarawak.
At the same time, Nanta who is also Federal Minister of Works and Kapit MP, informed that the passing of the Malaysian Inland Revenue Board (IRB) (Amendment) Bill 2023 to allow Sabah and Sarawak government representatives to be appointed as members of the IRB’s board of directors, is good news for both States.
“Although it (representation from Sabah and Sarawak) was supposed to be implemented all this time, it was never done.
“Therefore, with the passing of this Bill, it fulfills the aspirations of MA63,” he added. — DayakDaily
