Revive 35pc seat ratio: PBRS
Published on: Monday, April 13, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) is calling for the original ratio of 35 per cent of the total Parliamentary seats each for Sabah and Sarawak based on the 1963 Malaysia Agreement to be returned. Its President Tan Sri Joseph Kurup (pic) noted that in the past 50 years Peninsular Malaysia had an increase of 75 per cent in the representation in Parliament from 106 to 166 seats.While for Sabah and Sarawak, the increase was merely about 25 per cent from 40 to 56 seats in the corresponding period, he said, adding that it meant that Peninsular Malaysia (Malaya) controlled a two-third majority of Parliament.
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Speaking at the PBRS 21st Anniversary Celebration dinner at Ming Garden here on Saturday, Kurup, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said PBRS wants the 1963 Malaysia Agreement to be taken into account when any change to the electoral boundary is being considered."The 35 per cent ratio is very important to ensure inter-regional equality and no region will have a two-third control of Parliament. What is important is the assurance of the formula that a two-third majority in Parliament can only be achieved with support from all the regions in Malaysia," he said.However, what had happened today, the Pensiangan MP said, was that Sabah's percentage was actually decreased by 13 per cent and Sarawak by 25 per cent.In this respect, he said Sabah should get an additional 10 to 12 seats in the next electoral boundary re-delineation.
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On another note, Kurup said PBRS strongly supports Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's leadership who he described as a caring and courageous leader."He is always ready to listen to the pulse of the people," he said.
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The concern and commitment shown by Najib, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman, was evident in many transformation programmes that were introduced to ensure the country's sustainable development. This included the setting up of the Royal Commission Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the influx of illegal immigrants into the State.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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