35 per cent parliamentary seats attainable

THE 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.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said he was optimistic that after a number of joint committee’s discussions, the proposal will be endorsed by the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Technical Committee, and be brought to the federal Cabinet meeting.

At the same time, the Sarawak Government will continue to negotiate and fight for a new formula for the Special Grants under Article 112D, with the federal government, to ensure that Sarawak’s 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 discussion, the Sarawak Government implores 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 in his ministerial winding-up speech at the august House on Wednesday.

He assured that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government remains committed to resolving its claims under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

“I wish to update this august House that the first Technical Committee Meeting under the Majlis Tindakan Pelaksanaan Perjanjian Malaysia 1963, chaired by the YAB Deputy Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof) was held on July 18 in Putrajaya.

“Under this Technical Committee Meeting, it was agreed that for the issues on Health and Education autonomy to Sarawak and Sabah, to be further discussed under the Special Coordination Committee, which will be co-chaired by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Functions) with the Minister of Health and the Minister of Education,” he said.

Additionally, he said through the Technical Committee Meeting, the federal government has agreed to return 52 lots of undeveloped federal land back to the Sarawak Government; and for the state to acquire the land from the Federal Land Commissioner (FLC) at its original acquisition cost.

“Our demand to have a representative in the Inland Revenue Board has been agreed by the federal government. The Dewan Rakyat, on October 11, passed the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (Amendment) Act 2023 to, among other things, provide for the appointment of a representative from Sarawak as a permanent member of the Inland Revenue Board.

“The appointment and revocation of a member representing Sarawak under this Act can only be exercised after consultation with the Premier of Sarawak.

“As for autonomy on Environment which has been principally agreed to be handed over to the Sarawak Government, we are currently preparing for the amendment of the Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance, 1993, in anticipation of the transfer of autonomy on environment to Sarawak,” he said.