KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) aims to ensure diverse representation in the state legislative assembly (DUN).
The coalition’s election manifesto committee chief, Datuk Noraini Idris, said that based on the principle of political inclusivity, BN has proposed an additional six appointed assemblymen.
The state Umno women’s chief explained that this is in addition to the existing six nominated assemblymen positions.
“In the past, the six nominated assemblymen were from different political parties in the government. Should it happen, there would be a total of 85 assemblymen.
“But of course, this will involve amendments to the Sabah Constitution. This is our aspiration and what we are fighting for, so that more voices can be represented.
“We know that not every ethnic group in Sabah is represented in the State Assembly. We want to give space to ethnic minorities and also to certain groups.
“For example, persons with disabilities (OKU) and professionals who may not prefer to join politics. This way, their voices can also be represented in the State Assembly,” she said during a press conference after BN launched its election manifesto at the Sabah Umno headquarters here.
Regarding Sabah and Sarawak’s representation in Parliament, Noraini explained that both states should have 35 per cent representation, slightly more than one-third of the 222 seats.
“If it were only one-third, the federal side already has two-thirds. By asking for 35 per cent, they must obtain our consent to pass any policy,” she said, noting that the manifesto, which calls for a review of representation, reflects a commitment to discussion and consultation.
Noraini added that this stance is consistent with the findings of the technical committee on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
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