SABAH and Sarawak must get back the 35% share of parliamentary seats consistent with the provisions of the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
This was the top resolution adopted at the Borneo States Symposium II held in Kuching recently which was attended by about 300 delegates from both East Malaysian states. The first symposium was held in Kota Kinabalu last November.
“The 35% proposal by Sarawak must be implemented as the Federal cabinet agreed to this during the Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s administration,” insisted Sarawak Initiatives (TSI) advisor Prof Dr James Chin. “There is no reason why Anwar (Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) can reject this.”
TSI is the co-organiser of the Borneo States Symposium II alongside the Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (SABAR).
According to the renowned political commentator, the 35% share could “fundamentally change federal-state relationship”.
“It means Putrajaya cannot ignore Sabah or Sarawak constitutionally. If we don’t get the 35%, then we do not have real leverage as Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) alone can change the federal constitution at will as is the situation now.,” justified Chin in a statement.
He further warned that many local NGOs are opposed the move to grant Sabah and Sarawak 35% of the seats in Parliament.
“There are many well-meaning local NGOs here in Sarawak who are influenced by Malayan NGOs who argue about the “one man, one vote” rule,” lamented Chin who is also the professor of Asian Studies at the University of Tasmania.
“They don’t realise they are being manipulated by Malayan NGOs to promote this idea which means we cannot get one-third of seats. Another idea they are actively promoting is to grant one-third of Dewan Negara seats to Sabah and Sarawak.”
Added Chin who is widely regarded as the leading authority on political change in Sabah and Sarawak.:
“All this will not work because without a constitutional amendment to grant Sabah and Sarawak 35% of the seats, there is no guarantee that future Putrajaya governments will honour this ad hoc agreement. Hence, we must insist that the 35% is clearly spelt out in the Federal Constitution.”
All in all, the Borneo States Symposium II passed the following seven resolutions:
(1). That the Borneo States be allocated at least 35% of the Parliamentary seats;
(2) That representatives from the Borneo States be included in all fiscal and monetary policy making agendas;
(3) That the Federal Government pays Sabah the 40% rebate as stated in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63);
(4) That full devolution of power on education to the Borneo States be carried out immediately with full funding from the Federal Government;
(5) That both governments of the Borneo States collaborate to create the “Borneo School of Economics & Political Science” to educate and train their next generation of leaders;
(6) That all Federal funds for the Borneo States be transferred to their consolidated funds to implement projects independently; and
(7) That equal funding be given to all religious bodies in Sarawak and Sabah. – Aug 2, 2024
