KOTA KINABALU: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Vice President David Ong criticised former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Harun for saying Sabah and Sarawak have no right to demand 35 per cent of parliamentary seats.
He said the allocation was a safeguard under MA63 to prevent Malaya from unilaterally amending the Federal Constitution.
Ong noted that while critics argue the 35% clause is not explicitly written, the Federal Government has also failed to honour the clearly stated 40 per cent net revenue return under Articles 112C and 112D.
He stressed that issues must be resolved through the MA63 Implementation Action Council and Parliament, not dismissed by personal opinions.
He added that disregarding safeguards, whether written or not, reflects double standards and undermines the equal partnership Malaysia was built upon.