KUCHING: The Sarawak government has welcomed Putrajaya’s agreement in principle to increase the number of Parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak, with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg confirming that discussions are ongoing.
Abang Johari expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for recognising the need for greater representation for the two Borneo states.
“Yes, we thank the Prime Minister because he has agreed to add more Parliamentary seats.
“Whether it can reach one-third, we will negotiate,” he told reporters after officiating Development Bank of Sarawak (DBOS) Integrity Day themed ‘Advancing Sarawak With Integrity’ held at a hotel here today (Nov 17).
He emphasised that the final decision lies entirely with the federal government.
“It depends on the federal government and the Prime Minister. Whether he can meet the one-third (representation), we will see how it goes,” he said.
Asked whether further meetings or negotiations were expected, Abang Johari said Sarawak would respond accordingly.
“If he calls us, we will negotiate. If he doesn’t call, we just keep quiet,” he said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently reiterated that the federal government had agreed in principle to increase the number of seats for Sabah and Sarawak based on voter distribution.
However, he stressed that there is currently no commitment to restoring one-third of the total Parliamentary seats to the two states.
Anwar said the matter remains under discussion within the Technical Committee of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (JKTMTPM63).
“I have stated that, in principle, we need to increase the number of seats. But the actual number is under the authority of the Election Commission (SPR).
“There is commitment to an increase. I have asked the state legal advisers of Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the Attorney General, to resolve this matter,” he was quoted as saying.
Currently, Sabah and Sarawak hold 25 and 31 Parliamentary seats respectively.
