KUCHING, Sept 12 — Putrajaya has agreed in principle to increasing parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak, but differing legal views between federal and state authorities must first be resolved, said Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof.
Fadillah, who chairs the Technical Committee under the MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63), said the matter will go to the Cabinet once the legal questions are settled.
“From the legal perspective, there are differing views between the state attorney-generals of Sabah and Sarawak and the federal attorney-general.
“In principle, the Prime Minister said the matter can be considered, but it will require further negotiations and detailed study,” he told a press conference after the MTPMA63 meeting at Kompleks Satria Pertiwi here today, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and attended by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Fadillah said any change to seat allocation falls under federal jurisdiction and must be tabled in Parliament, noting that constituency amendments require a two-thirds majority.
Asked if Sarawak’s upcoming state constituency delineation would factor into the proposal, Fadillah said that once a policy decision is made, the Election Commission will conduct its own study to determine the number and location of seats.
“Any decision must first be made at the policy level. After that, the EC will conduct its study to determine the number and location of seats. That is the process that must be followed,” he said.
Despite the outstanding legal issues, he confirmed the federal government’s agreement in principle to strengthen Sabah and Sarawak’s representation in the Dewan Rakyat, with the final number yet to be determined.
He said the proposal was among four key items discussed today, along with judicial appointments, tourism and environmental authority.
On the judiciary, Fadillah said the government agreed to amend the Federal Constitution to allow the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sabah and Sarawak to endorse the appointment of Judicial Commissioners in both states.
On the environment, he said amendments to Article 95C enabling Sabah and Sarawak to regulate scheduled waste are expected to be tabled in December.
Tourism-related amendments remain under review pending further consultations.
Also at the press conference were Prime Minister’s Department’s Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division secretary Mohd Saiful Sungkih Abdullah, National Unity Minister Dato Sri Aaron Ago Dagang, and Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick. — The Borneo Post
