By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Oct 10: Sarawak wants to maintain a 33 per cent seat composition in Parliament to prevent West Malaysia from ‘bulldozing’ laws through, says Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts said during the formation of Malaysia in 1963, Sabah (previously North Borneo), Sarawak and Singapore seats were about 33 per cent of the total seats while the rest were held by West Malaysia (Malaya).
After Singapore’s exit from Malaysia, its seats were taken up by West Malaysia which led to Sabah and Sarawak having less than 30 per cent of the seats.
“This (33 per cent seats or one-third representation in Parliament) is very important because it relates to safeguarding the rights of Sabah and Sarawak.
“If we want to amend the Federal Constitution, it requires two-thirds majority. So if West Malaysia has more than two-thirds in the Parliament, that means they can bulldoze laws through and change the rights.
“That is why we want to maintain the number of seats that are to be held by Sabah and Sarawak to be at least 30 to 33 per cent as what our forefathers (have agreed upon) when they negotiated for the formation of Malaysia. It was 33 per cent and we want to maintain that,” he said when met by the press after the grand launch of Habib store at The Spring Shopping Mall here today.
Abdul Karim who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president further said the issue could be resolved by increasing the current number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak to meet the 33 per cent quota.
“Now there is only 25 per cent (for Sabah and Sarawak) and they (Malaya) can just bulldoze any law, change the law articles in Parliament and there goes our rights.
“That is the reason why we are asking for that (33 per cent seats) and that becomes part of the negotiation that we are having with the Federal government,” he added.
On the event, Habib is a leading luxury jewellery brand known for its exquisite craftsmanship, timeless designs and exceptional quality.
Its new showroom at The Spring boasts a total area of 2,120 square feet and is designed to provide customers with an unparalleled shopping experience.
The new store has customer lounge area, customer consultation area, VIP room, and coffee corner.
Habib The Spring also offers services such as trade-in old jewellery for newer pieces or cash, complimentary appraisal and jewellery cleaning, repairing, name engraving and resizing of jewellery, polishing and electroplating, ear piercing and custom-made jewellery orders.
Also present were Abdul Karim’s wife Datin Sri Zuraini Abdul Jabbar, Association of Wives of Ministers and Assistant Ministers of Sarawak (Sabati) treasurer-general Datin Sri Loreta Sawot, Habib Group Executive Chairman Dato Sri Meer Habib, Habib Group Executive Director Datin Sri Zarida Noordin and The Spring Executive Director Datin Christine Ling. — DayakDaily
