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“Unhealthy imbalance” in parliament must be addressed, population-based representation not applicable to Borneo states, says Premier

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Abang Johari speaks during his address.

BINTULU: The practice of carving out seats based on population size should not be implemented as it would mean some places in Sarawak and Sabah would be unrepresented.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Westminster system which dictates population-based representation is not set in stone.

“Even in the UK, parliamentary representation is not sorely based on population but also on the size of a particular seat.

“Should a seat be considered based only on population then remote places with scattered population like Ulu Baram, Belaga and Ulu Rajang will not merit representation, which is not the case as we know it,” he said during his speech at the state-level Malaysia Day celebration, here tonight.

Abang Johari said the interest of territories other than Malaya must be prioritised as enshrined under the Inter-Government Committee Report (IGC) 1962.

“It must be understood that though the size of representation in Parliament for Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak was not explicitly expressed in Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), IGC has given assurance that the interests of these territories are to be protected at all times.

“Parliamentary representation cannot be reduced but must be proportionate,” he said.

The premier said presently, there is an unhealthy imbalance in Parliament as Sarawak and Sabah only has a total of 56 seats or 25 percent out of the total of 222.

“We in Sarawak and Sabah have to ensure that our rights and privileges are always protected and safeguarded in Parliament and that the wants of some federal leaders are not imposed or lord over upon us to our detriment and loss.

“Some of our rights have been eroded in the last 59 years because we did not have the power to effectively object in Parliament to laws that were either unintentionally or purposely enacted to infringe our rights. We only want our rights back, no more no less,” he said.

Recently, the MA63 Special Council has endorsed the restoration of the 35 percent of the 222 Parliamentary seats for East Malaysia.

With this endorsement by the council, Sabah and Sarawak will be able to push for 78 of the 222 Parliamentary seats.

Earlier, Abang Johari said other matters were also discussed at the Special Council meeting such as health issues and infrastructure, where some clinics in Sarawak’s interior areas must be repaired or rebuilt.

“I hope that the federal government looks at this seriously and provides ample financial support to ensure improved health services for the people”.

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