KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Keruak has called Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement about boosting parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak a positive and significant move.
He fully supports Sarawak Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah’s assertion that this proposal needs to be backed by real actions, not just words.
“The principle is straightforward: Sabah and Sarawak should together hold at least one-third of the parliamentary seats, in line with the protections and spirit of the Malaysia formation in 1963.
“When Malaysia was established, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore played a crucial role in maintaining parliamentary balance,” he mentioned in a Facebook post.
Salleh noted that the balance shifted when Singapore exited Malaysia in 1965.
“In my view, the parliamentary arrangement should then have been adjusted to preserve the one-third safeguard for the Borneo states,” he said.
Therefore, Salleh stressed this is not simply about giving Sabah and Sarawak a few additional seats.
“It is about restoring an important balance associated with the original formation of Malaysia.
“More than 60 years later, the time has come to translate this principle into a clear roadmap, concrete steps and implementation.
“Restoring the one-third parliamentary balance is not about weakening Malaysia. It is about strengthening the federal partnership and respecting the foundations upon which Malaysia was formed,” he added.
Restore the one-third Parliamentary balance – Salleh
KOTA KINABALU: Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Keruak has described the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s statement on increasing parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak as a positive and important step.
In this respect, he fully supported Sarawak Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah’s call that this proposal must be followed by concrete action and not remain merely a statement of intent.
“The principle is clear: Sabah and Sarawak together should hold at least one-third of the seats in Parliament, consistent with the safeguards and spirit surrounding the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
“When Malaysia was formed, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore collectively provided an important parliamentary balance,” he said in a Facebook post.
Salleh said when Singapore left Malaysia in 1965, that balance changed.
“In my view, the parliamentary arrangement should then have been adjusted to preserve the one-third safeguard for the Borneo states,” he said.
Therefore, Salleh stressed this is not simply about giving Sabah and Sarawak a few additional seats.
“It is about restoring an important balance associated with the original formation of Malaysia.
“More than 60 years later, the time has come to translate this principle into a clear roadmap, concrete steps and implementation.
“Restoring the one-third parliamentary balance is not about weakening Malaysia. It is about strengthening the federal partnership and respecting the foundations upon which Malaysia was formed,” he added.
