Political will required to restore seat allocation

KUCHING: Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi) president Lina Soo on Tuesday said it requires political will and legislation to ensure changes are made for the full restoration of one-third parliamentary seat allocation to Sarawak and Sabah.

She noted that the federal government has acknowledged the growing demands for fair representation from the two Borneo states.

“The exact precise figure is 34.6 per cent. Nothing less than this,” Soo told the New Sarawak Tribune.

“Whether the federal government is fully addressing all these calls remains to be seen, as it requires political will and legislation to accommodate the changes, if it ever materialises,” she said.
Soo was reacting to a repeated call by Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg for the federal government to restore the one-third parliamentary seats for Sarawak and Sabah.

She said allocation is seen as crucial to ensuring that Sabah and Sarawak have a stronger voice in federal decision-making.

“The original intent behind the correct figure of 34.6 per cent allocation, which was in place at the time of Malaysia’s formation, was to prevent dominance by Peninsular Malaysia and safeguard the interests of the Borneo states,” said Soo, who has authored books on events leading to the formation of Malaysia and the Malaysia Agreement 1963.

She added the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) chairman Lord Lansdowne stated in the House of Lords Malaysia Bill debate on July 27, 1963 that the 34.6 per cent seat allocation was the decisive factor that convinced Sabah and Sarawak leaders to accept federation with Malaya and Singapore.

“This right was entrenched in Art 1(c) 161E and 46 of the Federal Constitution,” she said.

“In other words this was a foundational term that can never be removed from the Federal Constitution.

“However this was removed by Act 354 in 1976. This has compromised the rights of Sarawak and Sabah by “back door” amendments where federal legislation has manoeuvred to erode the untouchable rights of Sarawak and Sabah protected by MA63.

“The 34.6 per cent of seat allocation in parliament means that it will deny Malaya (with 65.4 per cent) a two-thirds majority.

“The urgency stems from concerns that without this representation, Sabah and Sarawak’s autonomy and rights under MA63 may continue to be further eroded,” she said.

Soo suggested that the current federal government may not want to scrap MA63, but there is no guarantee that future federal governments may not do so.

She said MA63 is the foundational agreement for the formation of Malaysia, adding that if it is “scrapped” Malaysia will cease to exist.

“In this scenario, Sarawak, Sabah and all the states in Malaya are equally entitled to seek out their own political future and sovereignty under the international law of self-determination.

“In reality this would never be done by the federal government now or in future as it removes the foundational agreement for forming Malaysia,” she said.

Soo said while the present government may be committed to preserving MA63, political landscapes can change, pointing out that future governments may prioritise different agendas, which could lead to changes in how MA63 is being interpreted or implemented.

“This is a legitimate concern for Sabah and Sarawak, as we have seen how our rights have been watered down through more than six decades of federalism.

“Having 34.6 per cent of the parliamentary seats allocated to Sabah and Sarawak would act as a safeguard against any potential attempts by future governments to amend the Constitution to diminish the rights and autonomy of the two states.”

She said the reinstatement of 34.6 per cent representation would provide a stronger platform to resist changes that could undermine the interests of Sarawak and Sabah.

She said a balanced and fair representation would also contribute to a more equitable federation, which may reduce federal-state tensions.

“After all, the original formula of 34.6 per cent to deny the states of Malaya a two-thirds majority was fundamental and strategic to protect the interests of Singapore and Borneo states.

“On appearance, the larger representation may seem to create a more inclusive political system which may appease Sarawak and Sabah,” Soo said.

On some from Peninsular Malaysia possibly arguing that the small population of Sarawak does not justify an increase in parliamentary seats from the present 31 to 43 as suggested by Betong PBB, she said this is a common argument based on population size.

However, she added parliamentary seat allocation is not solely about population.

“Historically, Sabah and Sarawak were granted significant parliamentary representation to reflect their unique status as founding members of the federation.

“Their geographical size, strategic importance, and distinct political histories justify additional seats, regardless of population size. The 34.6 per cent cannot be altered and must be reinstated,” she contended.

Speaking in Kapit earlier, Abang Johari had said the restoration of one-third of the number of parliamentary seats to Sarawak and Sabah was to prevent Parliament from amending the federal Constitution that will affect interests of the two Borneo states.

He added that at the formation of Malaysia, the combined number of parliamentary seats from Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah was more than one-third.

However, he said when Singapore was separated from Malaysia, its parliamentary seats were taken by Peninsular Malaysia, not distributed to Sarawak and Sabah.

He said having the one-third seats is to protect and safeguard the interests and rights of the two Borneo seats should there be any move to do away with MA63 by parliament.