Additional seat demand will test PM’s sincerity

KUCHING: The time has come to assess the sincerity of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the federal government on meeting Sarawak’s demands including the addition of parliamentary seats.

Vice President of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the addition of parliamentary seats is crucial for both Sarawak and Sabah. 

He said additional parliamentary seats would translate to aligning with the equal status of both states under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 

“The addition of parliamentary seats would protect the rights of both Sarawak and Sabah as outlined in the constitution. As such, I welcome and hope that this matter will be expedited,” he said during a press conference after launching the Aramaz S-MM2H One Stop Centre today (Dec 13). 

Abdul Karim who is Minister of Tourism, Performing Arts and Creative Industry is optimistic that this matter can be achieved in light of the good relationship between the state government and federal government. 

He expressed confidence that the Prime Minister does not want to disappoint Sarawak in this matter. 

“It will take some time, but as long as efforts are being made, what is important is sincerity and honesty in initiating the process. If there are those who vote against the addition of parliamentary seats for Sarawak and Sabah, we can see that there is no sincerity. 

“When Singapore left Malaysia, there were 25 parliamentary seats which were taken and created in Peninsular Malaysia. That is why their (Peninsular Malaysia) number of seats increased but ours (Sarawak and Sabah) diminished. We are now pushing for 33 to 35 per cent representation in parliament which could easily be 11 to 12 seats for Sarawak and 10 to 11 seats to Sabah – this is to safeguard our rights as enshrined in the MA63,” he said.

It was reported that Sarawak and Sabah are expected to receive additional parliamentary constituencies after the completion of the redelineation process with Sarawak getting at least an additional 12 seats. 

A Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) MP who wished to be unnamed said the number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak would increase soon.

“Sarawak may get a minimum of 12 seats. I believe political parties within GPS are working in potential areas for new seat proposals,” the source said. 

Currently, parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak amount to less than two-thirds while Peninsular Malaysia has 166 or 75 per cent of the 222 parliamentary seats. 

Sarawak and Sabah have the remaining 25 per cent or 56 seats namely 31 and 25 respectively, 

In October, it was reported that PBB would establish a committee to advance the proposal to increase parliamentary constituencies in Sarawak.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the proposal aligns with the MA63 and that it will be submitted to the Election Commission (EC).