Henry: 35 pct representation of Sabah, Sarawak in Parliament a right under MA63

KUCHING (Sept 30): The demand for 35 per cent representation of Sabah and Sarawak in Parliament must be honoured because it is one of the rights enshrined in the Malaysia Agreement of 1963 (MA63).

Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) deputy president Dato Henry Harry Jinep stated this when asked about it on the sidelines of the Freelance Journalists Association Kuching (or Pewarta) workshop on etiquette for journalists at a hotel here today.

Henry said the actual reason why it was not honoured after the MA63 was signed and sealed in 1963 pursuant to the formation of Malaysia was only known to the past federal leaders.

The Deputy Minister of Transport and Tasik Biru assemblyman used the essence of family institution as an analogy for the case of honouring promises pursuant to the formation of Malaysia.

He said it would only be right and justifiable for the head of the family to take good care of his wife and children.

“Formation of Malaysia is like a marriage or family institution. It would not be right to dishonour marriage vows (promises) or not taking care of wife and children,” he said.

Separately, Parti Solidariti Tanahairku (Sabah STAR) deputy president Datuk Kenny Chua yesterday said Sabah and Sarawak need to seriously have a ‘Plan B’ in case their demand for the return of 35 per cent quota of seats in Parliament is not met by the federal government.

Both Borneo territories cannot assume that the federal government will one day give them one-third of the decision-making power in the august House, he argued.

“I think Sabah and Sarawak should actively discuss a Plan B. If our demand is not met, we must know already what our next step is.

“This next step must align with the true aspirations of Sabahans and Sarawakians,” he stressed in a statement.

He concurred with Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg that 35 per cent of seats are needed to ensure Parliament cannot attempt to amend the Federal Constitution to revoke the MA63.

Chua stressed the importance of having one-third representation in Parliament from Sabah and Sarawak to ensure the MA63 is safeguarded.

He explained that when Malaysia was formed, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore made up one-third of the seats in Parliament.

However, when Singapore pulled out of the federation, its seats were taken by Malaya instead of being given equally to the Borneo territories.

Sabah and Sarawak combined have 56 out of the total of 222 seats in Parliament, which is only about 25 per cent.