By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Nov 29: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg informed the august House that the State’s proposal to increase the number of parliamentary seats for Sarawak and Sabah to 35 per cent has received a positive response from the federal government.
According to Abang Johari, he is optimistic that after a number of joint committee discussions, the proposal will be endorsed by the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Technical Committee meeting and then taken to the Federal Cabinet meeting.
“At the same time, our Sarawak government will continue to negotiate and fight for the new formula for the Special Grants under Article 112D, with the federal government, to ensure that the Sarawak revenue is adequate to meet the cost of State services.
“On behalf of the Sarawak government, I would like to thank Putrajaya for their commitment and sincerity in restoring the rights of Sarawak, as stipulated under the MA63.
“For other matters which are still under discussions, the Sarawak government implore for a favourable outcome from the negotiations with the federal government, so that our rights as contained in the Malaysia Agreement, Cobbold Commission, IGC Report and Federal Constitution, can be restored and safeguarded,” he said when presenting his ministerial winding-up speech during the Second Meeting for the Second Term of the 19th DUN at the DUN complex here today.
It was reported that Sarawak and Sabah will now be able to push for 78 parliamentary seats as the meeting of the Special Council on MA63 has endorsed the restoration of 35 per cent of the 222 parliamentary seats for East Malaysia. — DayakDaily
