MIRI (Dec 3): Increasing the number of parliamentary seats for Sarawak and Sabah is an essential step towards restoring the two regions’ status as equal partners in the formation of Malaysia.

Persatuan Intelektual Pribumi Sarawak (Perantis) advisor Wellie Henry Majang said the current representation of both regions in the Dewan Rakyat falls short of what was agreed during negotiations leading to the formation of Malaysia.

According to him, this shortcoming affects the safeguarding of rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) as well as the spirit of the Cobbold Commission Report.

Wellie said the Dewan Rakyat, which should serve as the voice of Malaysians nationwide, does not adequately reflect the interests of Sarawak and Sabah as their combined seats do not meet the one-third ratio envisaged during the early formation of the nation.

“The one-third allocation was a safeguard agreed upon since 1963 to ensure that Sabah and Sarawak would not be sidelined in the making of laws that have major implications for us,” he said in a statement.

Without adequate representation, he said amendments to the Federal Constitution, which require a two-thirds majority, could be passed without considering the interests of the two Bornean regions.

“We need MPs who are genuinely committed to defending our rights in the Dewan Rakyat. Sabah and Sarawak are no longer peripheral players, we are key to national political stability,” he said.

Wellie also welcomed the amendment to Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution, which recognises Sarawak as an equal partner to Peninsular Malaysia.

However, he opined that such recognition must be reinforced through concrete measures, including fairer allocation of development expenditure, a more balanced distribution of powers, and an increase of at least 29 parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak.

He stressed Sarawak and Sabah should not be treated as states on par with those in Peninsular Malaysia, but as founding regions with equal standing in the federation.

“To acknowledge Sabah and Sarawak as regions, the increase in parliamentary seats must be treated as a necessity, not rhetoric,” he said.

Perantis also pointed out the Cobbold Commission had clearly stated that safeguarding the interests of Borneo’s people was a prerequisite to the formation of Malaysia.

Wellie added it is therefore timely for the federal government to resolve what he described as a longstanding historical demand.