Prof James Chin wants Fed Constitution amended to grant Sabah, Sarawak 35% parliamentary seats
Without a constitutional amendment to grant Sabah and Sarawak 35% of the seats, there is no guarantee that future Putrajaya governments will honour this ad hoc agreement.
(Focus Malaysia) – SABAH and Sarawak must get back the 35% share of parliamentary seats consistent with the provisions of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
This was the top resolution adopted at the Borneo States Symposium II held in Kuching recently which was attended by about 300 delegates from both East Malaysian states. The first symposium was held in Kota Kinabalu last November.
“The 35% proposal by Sarawak must be implemented as the Federal cabinet agreed to this during the Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration,” insisted Sarawak Initiatives (TSI) advisor Prof Dr James Chin. “There is no reason why Anwar (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) can reject this.”
TSI is the co-organiser of the Borneo States Symposium II alongside the Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (SABAR).
According to the renowned political commentator, the 35% share could “fundamentally change federal-state relationship”.
“It means Putrajaya cannot ignore Sabah or Sarawak constitutionally. If we don’t get the 35%, then we do not have real leverage as Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) alone can change the federal constitution at will as is the situation now.,” justified Chin in a statement.
