By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Sept 26: Putrajaya must first determine how the one-third representation formula for Sabah and Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat is to be implemented before any increase in parliamentary seats is considered.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said she and several Sarawak leaders, including Cabinet members, had raised the matter, although discussions previously had focused more on representation in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
“On the issue of voicing out in terms of parliamentary seats, I am with (Works Minister and Kapit MP) Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi in Cabinet.
“How the one-third formula is to be established needs to be discussed together, particularly in terms of legislation,” she said after attending the Motivation and Guidance Programme for Study Opportunities and UiTM Sarawak Branch Academic Exhibition at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bako here today.
Nancy, who is also vice-president of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Women’s Wing, said further discussions were needed among the Sarawak Premier, Sabah Chief Minister and federal government to determine an appropriate mechanism and measure for implementing the formula.
She said the discussions should also address how the proposed representation would be translated into legislation.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim previously said the government had agreed in principle to increase the representation of Sabah and Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat, in line with the two regions’ role in the formation of Malaysia under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He said the decision was among the key matters agreed upon at a meeting of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council. — Bernama
