Kuala Lumpur: Those calling for the creation of more parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak should take their demand to the Election Commission (EC), the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister Maximus Ongkili suggested that Sabah and Sarawak MPs discuss this demand and take it up with the EC “for further action”.
“There are also parties in Sabah and Sarawak which feel that this demand should be placed before their respective state assemblies first,” he said in winding-up matters related to his ministry.
Five Bornean MPs had earlier called for at least one-third of Dewan Rakyat seats to be from Sabah and Sarawak. Currently, the two states hold 56 of the 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.
Of the 56 parliamentary seats, Sabah has 25 and Sarawak 31.
Last week, Rubiah Wang (GPS-Kota Samarahan) said at least 28 more seats should be added for the two states to achieve a one-third seat composition in the Dewan Rakyat.
Most MPs from the Bornean states said there should be a balance in the distribution of seats between West Malaysia and Sabah and Sarawak.
Last October, it was reported that the Sarawak government had applied to the EC for a redelineation of parliamentary constituencies in the state.
Law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar was reported to have said that the matter was expected to be resolved by 2023 at the latest.
He said chief minister Abang Johari Openg had wanted parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak MPs to be increased to more than 30% from the current 20% out of the total 222 seats.
“The redelineation exercise is in line with Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) proposal and demand that the number of peninsular parliamentary seats not make up a two-third majority that can automatically pass a bill in Parliament, which is likely to jeopardise the interests of the Borneo states,” Wan Junaidi said.
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