KUCHING, Sept 26 — Putrajaya must first work out the one-third formula for Sabah and Sarawak representation in the Dewan Rakyat before adding any parliamentary seats.
Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said she and several Sarawak leaders, including in Cabinet, have raised the issue, but the focus had previously been more on state assembly seats.
“Speaking on voicing out in terms of (Parliamentary) seats, I am with Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi in Cabinet.
“How that one-third formula is to be created needs to be discussed together, in terms of legislation,” she said after the Motivation and Guidance Programme for Study Opportunities and UiTM Sarawak Branch Academic Exhibition at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bako here today.
Nancy, who is also vice-president of the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Women’s Movement, said further discussions to determine a suitable method and measure must be held between the Sarawak premier, Sabah chief minister and the Federal Government.
Previously, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government had agreed in principle to increase the ratio of Sabah and Sarawak representation in the Dewan Rakyat, in line with the regions’ position in the formation of Malaysia through the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He said the decision was among the key matters agreed at the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council meeting. — Bernama
