Settle one-third formula before seat increase, says Nancy

 The women, family and community development minister says further discussions to determine a suitable method must be held by Sarawak and Sabah with the federal government.

Women, family and community development minister Nancy Shukri attending an educational guidance programme in Kuching today. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Putrajaya must first work out the one-third formula for Sabah and Sarawak representation in the Dewan Rakyat before adding any parliamentary seats.

Women, family and community development minister Nancy Shukri said she and several Sarawak leaders, including in the Cabinet, had raised the issue, but the focus had previously been more on state assembly seats.

She said she would support works minister Alexander Nanta Linggi in the Cabinet on the matter of parliamentary seats for Sarawak, Bernama reported.

“How that one-third formula is to be created needs to be discussed together, in terms of legislation,” she said after attending an educational guidance programme and Sarawak UiTM’s academic exhibition at SMK Bako in Kuching today.

Nancy, who is also vice-president of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu women’s movement, said further discussions to determine a suitable method must be held by the Sarawak premier and Sabah chief minister with the federal government.

Previously, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the government had agreed in principle to increase the ratio of Sabah and Sarawak representation in the Dewan Rakyat, in line with the region’s position in the formation of Malaysia through the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

He said the decision was among the key matters agreed upon at the MA63 implementation action council meeting. - FMT