Kota Kinabalu: Liberal Democratic Party Vice President David Ong slammed former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Harun for claiming that Sabah and Sarawak have no right to demand 35 per cent parliamentary representation.
“Such statement reflects either ignorance or a deliberate attempt to downplay the rights of East Malaysian states under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” David said in a statement, Thursday.
David said the 35 per cent representation was designed as an important safeguard to prevent Peninsular Malaysia from unilaterally amending the Federal Constitution without East Malaysian consent.
“If Malaya can single-handedly change the Constitution, then we must ask ourselves honestly, what is the value of Sabah and Sarawak remaining in this partnership?” he said.
He pointed out the apparent inconsistencies in how MA63 provisions are treated, pointing out that the clearly stated 40 per cent net revenue return under Articles 112C and 112D of the Federal Constitution remains unimplemented after six decades.
“Why the double standard?” he said, noting that some dismiss the 35 per cent representation for not being explicitly written while ignoring what is clearly documented.
He said the Unity Government has established the MA63 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) with representatives from Sabah, Sarawak and the Federal Government to address these longstanding issues.
He called for the Council to determine whether the 35 per cent representation is binding and bring the matter to Parliament for proper debate and decision.
“Azhar’s personal view cannot override the role of the Council or the aspirations of the people of Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
He said both written and unwritten safeguards of MA63 must be respected in spirit and in practice for Malaysia to function as a true equal partnership between its founding regions.