Sabah to pursue one-third parliamentary representation for Bornean states

Sabah will also pursue having 35 per cent of the seats in the Dewan Rakyat reserved for Sabah and Sarawak, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

(NST) – Hajiji remarks come a few days after Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg also highlighting the importance of more parliamentary seats for both states as outlined in the Cobbold Commission Report.

Hajiji said both states would pursue the matter to safeguard the interests of Sabah and Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat.

Currently, Sabah has 25 seats while Sarawak has 31. Together they make up for 25 per cent of the total 222 seats in Parliament. Both need another 18 seats to have one-third representation.

“We have discussed with the government of Sarawak, twice at the officer-level, to ask for at least one third of the seats in the Parliament.

“We have also stated our desire to the prime minister in the MA63 agreement on September 12,” he told the media after meeting with the new students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah here.

Hajiji added that in terms of restoration of those seats, there are several factors to take into account.

Among them include the size of the area and the population.

“To have one Parliament seat, the number of voters must also be taken into account. It is not right to have one parliament seat with just 20,000 voters. This is an example.

“But I think the Parliament has enough conditions to increase the number of seats in the parliament.”