MPs call for 28 extra seats in Sabah and Sarawak

 

MPs from Sabah and Sarawak say the two states should have one-third of the seats in the Dewan Rakyat. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah and Sarawak MPs have called for an increase in the number of parliamentary seats for the two states, with one MP saying at least 28 more seats were needed.

The call for more seats was made during the debate in the Dewan Rakyat on the royal address. Most MPs from the Bornean states said there should be a balance in the distribution of seats between West Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak.

Rubiah Wang (GPS-Kota Samarahan) proposed that at least 28 more seats be added for the two states to achieve a one-third seat composition in Parliament.

“This matter is also important in the effort to protect the special privileges and recognition of Sabah and Sarawak as partners in the formation of Malaysia. In addition, there are very large parliamentary constituencies in Sabah and Sarawak,” she said.

Wilson Ugak Anak Kumbong (GPS-Hulu Rajang) interrupted to support the proposal and called on the government to perform a redelineation exercise, especially in Sarawak.

Taking the example of the Hulu Rajang parliamentary constituency, Wilson described it as one of the largest in Malaysia.

Also supporting the idea was Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan), head of Sabah Barisan Nasional. He stated that the addition of seats was deemed necessary to achieve parity with Peninsular Malaysia in Parliament.

“We are talking about universal prosperity, regional equality, balanced development, but this (current scenario) is not balanced but rather one-sided. That’s right, there is no one-third (composition of seats currently), so I agree with the others on adding 28 parliamentary seats in these states,” he said.

Other MPs who raised the issue were Robert Lawson Chuat (GPS-Betong); Anyi Ngau (GPS-Baram); and Oscar Ling (PH-Sibu) who asked the federal government to refine the proposed amendments to the addition of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak.

Ling said the redelineation should be implemented based on population density rather than area.

“If the new demarcation is done, it should depend on the population and not the area, because the racial distribution in Sarawak is about a 30:30:30 ratio, namely Chinese, natives such as Iban and Dayak, as well as Muslims. So I suggest not to do the redelineation according to the size of the area.

“Urban areas are highly populated locations compared to rural areas. So I suggest that if one-third of the parliamentary seats are given to Sabah and Sarawak, it should be based on the population, so that each person gets one vote,” he said.

Sabah (25 seats) and Sarawak (31) make up 56 of the 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

The house resumes sitting tomorrow. - FMT