KUCHING: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB) Youth deputy chief Aaron Nagai has hit back at DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) Sarawak over claims linking the increase in Sarawak’s State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats to parliamentary representation.
He said DAPSY is conflating two separate constitutional processes, resulting in what he described as a misleading narrative to Sarawakians.
Aaron said the increase in the number of DUN seats did not automatically translate into an increase in parliamentary seats.
“Anyone with a basic understanding of the Federal Constitution knows that parliamentary representation can only be changed through a constitutional process in Parliament — not through the creation of additional state constituencies,” he said in a statement.
He said the expansion of DUN seats is necessary due to Sarawak’s geographical size, growing population and unique administrative challenges.
“Our elected representatives serve constituencies spanning thousands of square kilometres, many of which remain among the largest in Malaysia.
“Better state representation was, and remains, necessary regardless of the number of parliamentary seats,” he said.
Aaron also stressed that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has not abandoned Sarawak’s long-standing aspiration for greater Parliamentary representation.
On the contrary, he said GPS had consistently maintained that Sarawak deserved fairer representation in line with its constitutional position, territorial size and the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He said achieving this, however, required constitutional amendments and political consensus at the Federal level.
Aaron also rejected claims that the Election Commission’s current delineation exercise indicated Sarawak’s aspirations for greater Parliamentary representation had failed.
“It is therefore irresponsible for DAPSY to portray the Election Commission’s delineation exercise as proof that Sarawak’s aspirations have failed.
“The Election Commission does not determine the number of parliamentary seats. It operates within the constitutional framework established by Parliament,” he said.
Instead, Aaron challenged DAPSY to explain why its own coalition had failed to secure the bipartisan support in Parliament needed to strengthen Sarawak’s parliamentary representation.
He said Sarawakians deserved leadership based on constitutional facts rather than political narratives that could create confusion.
“GPS will continue to pursue greater Parliamentary representation through the proper constitutional channels while ensuring Sarawak’s governance and representation at the state level continue to improve,” he said.
