KUCHING: Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement to increase parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak, calling it a key step in restoring the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and reinforcing both regions’ status as equal partners in Malaysia.
He said the increase must ensure that the principle of 35 percent representation for Sabah and Sarawak is upheld, as this is crucial to guaranteeing that all federal laws and policies fairly reflect the interests of both territories.
“For more than six decades since the formation of Malaysia, various laws and policies have gradually eroded the rights of Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners. The increase in parliamentary seats is a vital mechanism to restore the balance of legislative power that has long been diminished,” he said.
Mordi added that the additional seats would also help close the development gap and strengthen political representation between East and West Malaysia.
“Sabah and Sarawak have long contributed natural resources and revenue to the Federal Government, yet development disparities remain wide. Strengthening representation in Parliament will ensure that the voice of the Borneo bloc is better heard in shaping the nation’s development direction,” he said.
He also pointed out that overlapping federal and state laws have at times led to disputes over jurisdictional boundaries.
“With stronger parliamentary representation, Sabah and Sarawak will be in a better position to ensure that federal laws respect state powers and the rights guaranteed under MA63,” he said.
While acknowledging the importance of the democratic principle of ‘one person, one vote, one value,’ Mordi stressed that the 35 percent representation stipulated in the spirit of MA63 should not be compromised.
“Although Sabah and Sarawak together account for only about 20 percent of Malaysia’s population, the 35 percent representation safeguards their historical and political rights,” he explained.
Mordi also proposed that if the increase in parliamentary seats cannot be implemented soon, the Federal Government should instead enhance Sabah and Sarawak’s representation in the Dewan Negara.
“If the expansion of the Dewan Rakyat cannot be realised in the near term, I urge the government to consider increasing the number of senators from Sabah and Sarawak to at least 35 percent or 25 of the 70 seats to ensure a fairer legislative balance between Peninsular and East Malaysia,” he said.
By Connie Chieng