Sabah agrees to 16 seats; S’wak 24

Published on: Monday, December 24, 1962

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North Borneo News And Sabah Times - (Monday, 24th December 1962) - KUALA LUMPUR, Sat - Mr Donald Stephens (pic), leader of the North Borneo delegation to the third plenary session of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Malaysia disclosed yesterday that Sabah and Sarawak had agreed on the number of seats each territory would have in the Malaysian Parliament.

He said the agreement was reached last Thursday night, Sarawak would have 24 seats and North Borneo 16 seats.

Mr Stephens was talking to newsmen yesterday at the airport prior to his departure for Jesselton after the recent IGC meeting here.

Referring to the seats, he pointed out that though 40 seats had been allocated by the Federation Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, there was the question of how many each territory should get.

This issue was one of the items discussed at the recent IGC meeting and he said that he was glad that it had been settled amicably.

He said that the earlier North Borneo wanted 18 and would only allow Sarawak 22 but had later compromised.

He disclosed that the IGC report would be ready in mid-January.

It would be circulated to all territories soon after. He added that the final agreement would be signed in London in March by Malaya, Britain, Sarawak and North Borneo. He reiterated that the Malaysia deadline (August 31, 1963) would be assuredly met. On Brunei Mr Stephens said: “We hope Brunei will come into Malaysia.” Touching on the Malaysian constitution, he said that it would be based on the same lines as the Malayan one but certain amendments would have to be made. He also said that North Borneo’s 20-point memorandum to the IGC had been fully met and that he was happy and satisfied with the outcome of the talks.