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By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, March 5: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) information chief Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah emphasised that the approval of 17 new parliamentary seats for Sarawak should neither be questioned nor delayed.
He was responding to a recent statement by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who noted that while the Implementation Council for Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MTPMA63) has agreed in principle to increase parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak, the details of implementation, including the number and percentage of additional seats, require further discussion due to potential implications for other states.
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Abdul Karim emphasised that the matter had already been approved by the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) and must be respected.
“Well, we practise the Westminster system. The DUS has already approved it, and that decision must be respected. This was not approved at a low level, it was passed in the Assembly. Parliament must endorse it. That is why this matter must proceed without delay,” he told a press conference at BaitulMakmur II in Petra Jaya today.
Abdul Karim, who also serves as Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, added that any postponement by the Law Minister in parliament would be a sign of disrespect to the Sarawak Assembly and its lawmakers.
“Perhaps some think Sarawak does not matter, as we have seen before. People often look down on us. If that is the case, then we know.
“Don’t link this to other states. This is Sarawak exercising powers granted to it. We approve it, and then we pass it to Parliament. That’s all,” he stressed.
He also clarified that the Election Commission of Malaysia (EC) is responsible for determining the locations of the new seats, not the Sarawak Assembly, and urged that the process proceed smoothly.
In a written reply to Kudat MP Dato’ Verdon Bahanda, who sought clarity on Sabah and Sarawak’s seat allocation, Azalina confirmed that the MTPMA63 meeting on Sept 12, 2025 had agreed it was reasonable and justifiable to increase Dewan Rakyat representation for Sabah and Sarawak.
She added that the federal government and relevant agencies would discuss implementation details, including the number and percentage of seats, given the potential impact on other states.
She added that the government has agreed in principle to expand the federal electoral divisions for Sabah and Sarawak, as announced by the Prime Minister on Nov 16, 2025. Following the constitutional amendment to Article 46, the EC will commence a review of the delineation under Article 113(3A) of the Federal Constitution. — DayakDaily
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