By Yussof J. Imbang
KUALA LUMPUR: The demand to increase the Sabah and Sarawak Parliament seats should not be linked to legislation as a reason to reject the proposal but instead should be reviewed in the Malaysia Agreement (MA63).
Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Vice President Datuk Masiung Banah said that the principle was not just a political demand; rather, it was outlined in the formation of Malaysia between Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak.
The statement of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Reforms), Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, caused an unhealthy polemic, especially as it was made through a written answer in the Dewan Rakyat.
“Azalina’s answer could cause political tension and scratch the hearts of the people of Sabah and Sarawak, as if she is against the proposed addition of parliamentary seats in both states.
Azalina’s view is contrary to the decision of the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has agreed to add more parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak.
“The issue raised by Azalina could create a bigger wound about how the centre serves the state in the Borneo region, which should have its own political autonomy,” said Masiung in a statement today.
In her written reply to Kudat Member of Parliament Datuk Verdon Bahanda in the Dewan Rakyat on March 3, Azalina explained that the addition of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak needs to be thoroughly examined because it brings great implications to other states.
Masiung stressed that Azalina’s answer was seen as disrespecting the people of Borneo and demeaning the role of members of the Parliament of Sabah and Sarawak who have been fighting for the issue in the Dewan Rakyat for a long time.
According to the Kuamut Representative, on November 16 last year the Prime Minister basically agreed on the addition of Parliament seats in the two states.
He wondered why Azalina opposed the proposal to add artificial seats when the Prime Minister first made an announcement and gave consideration to adding seats for Sabah and Sarawak.
