By Shikin Louis
KAPIT, Sept 29: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today once again called on Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim to up Sarawak and Sabah’s representation in Parliament to 35 per cent to prevent any attempts to cancel Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He said the Cobbold Commission report stated the conditions and rights that were meant to safeguard the autonomy and the special interests of the people of Sabah and Sarawak, protecting, among others, these regions’ rights on religion, language, education, administration, economy and culture.
“What is important there is also to safeguard the representation in Parliament because previously, Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore had over one-third seats.
“That is why now we want the Yang Berhormat (Anwar) to give us more seats up to one-third because the Singapore’s seats were taken up by the Federation of Malaya,” he said when speaking during the ‘Leaders with Community’ event at Kapit Civic Centre today. His speech was broadcast live by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).
Abang Johari further stressed that upon Singapore’s exit from Malaysia, the seats were supposed to be shared with Sabah and Sarawak so that it aligned with the Cobbold Commission’s report.
“It’s not that we want it (out of personal interest) but because we want to protect (our rights).
“In parliamentary democracy, you can amend any part of your Constitution as long as you have two-thirds majority.
“We are just afraid that there is a possibility that there is an attempt to cancel the MA63. Who knows? So if we have the one-third (representation), we know that the basic fundamental agreement is intact and we can develop,” he added.
Also present were Minister of Works and incumbent Kapit MP Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi and former Kapit MP Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leonard Linggi Jugah. — DayakDaily
