Abd Karim: Sarawak’s move to increase state seats must be respected

KUCHING (March 5): The decision by the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) to increase the number of state seats from 82 to 99 must be respected and should not be taken lightly, said State Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He said the resolution, which adds 17 new constituencies, had already been passed by the state assembly and should proceed to Parliament for endorsement without unnecessary delay.

“We practise the Westminster parliamentary system. The Sarawak Legislative Assembly has already approved it and it must be respected.

“It was not approved at a lower level — it was passed in the Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN),” he told a press conference here, responding to remarks by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who reportedly said further research was needed as the move could affect other states.

Abdul Karim stressed that the decision falls within Sarawak’s jurisdiction and should not be linked to other states.

“What has it got to do with any other state? Sarawak approved it according to the powers given to the state. We approved it and then passed it to Parliament to endorse it,” he said.

He explained that Parliament’s role is to endorse the decision, after which the Election Commission (EC) will determine the locations of the new constituencies.

“It is not the Sarawak Legislative Assembly that determines where the new seats will be located. That is the Election Commission’s job. Let them look into it. We want this process to proceed smoothly,” he said.

Abdul Karim warned that delaying the endorsement process could be seen as a failure to respect the decision made by Sarawak’s elected representatives.

“That is why this matter must be brought forward and not be delayed. If the process of bringing this to Parliament for endorsement is delayed, it shows a lack of respect for the voice of the people of Sarawak.

“This is not merely a voice outside — it was passed in the Dewan Undangan Negeri. That is the august House, a sovereign assembly,” he added.

On another note, Abdul Karim dismissed remarks by former law minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim regarding the proposed Borneo Bloc, which the latter had suggested could be aimed at controlling Peninsular Malaysia.

Abdul Karim described the claims as baseless, stressing that Sarawak has always shared its resources within the federation.

“There is no such thing. Sarawak’s oil, gas and natural resources have always been shared. We know we are in a federation,” he said.

He added that Sarawak is only seeking fairer distribution of its resources, noting that the state currently receives about five per cent of revenue from its oil and gas.

“There is no business where the producer only receives five per cent. That is definitely not equitable,” he said.

Abdul Karim also criticised certain politicians whom he claimed sought publicity by making controversial statements.

“Sometimes some politicians want to be in the limelight. They lose elections, they lose positions in their parties, but they need a platform,” he said.