SIBU, Sept 28 — Sarawak and Sabah, as equal partners in the formation of Malaysia, should be allocated 66.67 per cent of the parliamentary seats instead of 35 per cent to ensure fair representation, said Bawang Assan assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh.
He recalled in 2021, the Federal Constitution was amended as a direct result of Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), restoring Sabah and Sarawak’s status as equal partners.
“And being equal partners must mean having an equal voice, equal representation, equal partners cannot have unequal seats, unequal representation,” Wong said in a press statement today.
He was reacting to the podcast on Sept 26 hosted by former federal minister Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, where Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun had dismissed the claim that Sabah and Sarawak are entitled to 35 per cent of parliamentary seats, calling it “merely a political narrative.”
“You’re right, Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun — not 35 per cent, but 66.67 per cent. We agree, because 35 per cent is far too little,” Wong said.
Wong pointed out that Malaysia was formed by three equal partners, namely Sabah, Sarawak, and Malaya.
“If we talk about being equal, the math is simple: Sabah: 33.33 per cent, Sarawak: 33.33 per cent, and Peninsular Malaysia: 33.33 per cent.
“That means Sabah and Sarawak together should hold 66.67 per cent (of the parliamentary seats), not 35 per cent.
“So yes, Tan Sri, you are absolutely right, 35 per cent is not enough. Sabah and Sarawak, as equal partners, deserve 66.67 per cent (of the parliamentary seats).
“Equal partners should have equal representation. Equal must truly means equal.” stressed Wong. — The Borneo Post
