Sarawak party warns of risks in pushing for more parliamentary seats

 

Parti Bumi Kenyalang claims without closing constitutional loopholes, peninsula-based parties can contest, and dominate, Sarawak's legislature.

PBK president Voon Lee Shan said the Federal Constitution allows Malaysians from the peninsula to contest parliamentary seats in Sarawak if they meet certain requirements.

PETALING JAYA:

 The Sarawak government would be tying a noose around its neck should it continue to push for an increase in parliamentary seats without restricting peninsula-based parties from contesting in elections in the state, a local party said.

Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), which champions independence for Sarawak and Sabah, said Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s push for more representation in the lower house was risky if constitutional loopholes were not closed, Dayak Daily reported.

PBK president Voon Lee Shan said loopholes already existed within the Sarawak Constitution, noting that Article 44 defines “citizens” as citizens of the federation, which include Malayans and Sabahans.

Article 16 requires candidates to be “residents” of the federation, which was another loophole.

“With it, Malayans can contest and potentially capture the Sarawak government. This is something Sarawakians must stop,” he was quoted as saying.

Voon said the Federal Constitution stipulated that Malaysians from the peninsula were eligible to contest parliamentary seats in Sarawak, provided they met the basic qualifications.

“Without explicit prohibition in the constitution, Malayan political parties will always find it easy to come to Sarawak,” he said.

He said peninsula-based parties like DAP, PKR and PAS have fielded candidates in Sarawak, with some managing to secure seats.

Voon said that when Malaysia was formed, Sarawakians “never intended for Malayans to dominate the state legislature”.

“But this may happen if the loopholes in the law are not covered,” he said. - FMT