Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

I refer to front page “More Sabah Dewan seats certain” (Nov. 17). 

Before Malaysia came into being, to allay the fears that Malaya alone could amend the Constitution unilaterally, to safeguard the interests of Sarawak, North Borneo and Singapore after Britain “handed” over the three territories to Malaya “hurriedly”, it was agreed that Malaya should have less than two-thirds of the total parliamentary seats allocated.

On Malaysia Day, Malaya had 104 seats, Singapore 15, Sarawak 24, and Sabah 16. Singapore left the Federation in 1965. The equation changed. 

By default, Malaya immediately had more than two-third majority in parliament – 72% of the remaining 144 seats are Malaya’s; Sabah and Sarawak got 28%.

Currently Malaya has 165 out of 222 parliamentary seats – 74%; Sabah and Sarawak and Labuan 26%. 

Sabah and Sarawak want their one-third proportion back, in the true spirit of creating a prosperous, fair, and just Malaysia.

Thank you PMX for addressing this question of increasing number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak. 

Understandably, Malaya also would have its number increased.

Since PMX implied that one-third quota for Sabah and Sarawak could not be possible when the number of seats were to be increased across the country, please increase proportionately more for Sabah and Sarawak, so that they have 30% of the total resultant number. 

And then, subsequent increase a decade later should see return of one-third proportion for the two Borneo territories.

To amend Article 46 (to increase the number of parliamentary seats) needs two-third majority – 148 out of 222. Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan have only 57. 

Will at least 91 MPs in Malaya support the Bill to increase more seats to Sabah and Sarawak proportionately? 

Dr Chong Eng Leong 

The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: Forum@dailyexpress.com.my