.jpg)
Kota Kinabalu: Efforts to increase Sabah and Sarawak’s representation ratio in the Dewan Rakyat have been welcomed as a move to ensure that the voices of people in rural and remote areas can be brought forward more effectively.
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Wanita chief Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun (pic) said the increase in parliamentary seats is crucial in making a direct impact on the delivery of community services at the Federal level.
She said the announcement of the Federal Government’s agreement on the matter provided a new ray of hope for the political and development landscape in both states.
“We welcome what the Prime Minister said regarding the Cabinet’s decision on increasing the number of seats for Sabah and Sarawak.
“My hope is that it will become a reality as soon as possible for the benefit of the people as a whole,” she said.
Azizah said this to reporters when met at an event here on Saturday night.
However, she acknowledged that the implementation of the major agenda would certainly have to go through several stringent legal procedures, including the parliamentary process.
She said the move would also require approval for amendments to the Federal Constitution, as well as a formal presentation for debate among lawmakers later.
Elaborating, Azizah said increasing the number of elected representatives in certain areas would directly help bring local issues to the Government’s attention in a more focused manner.
She also stressed that elected representatives who were close to local problems would be able to convey the needs of the community, including poverty-related issues, more effectively in Parliament.
She also hoped that more qualified women and young people from Sabah would step forward to represent the people’s voices in a mature and effective manner.
“What is important is that we want Sabah leaders who bring our voices to Parliament to be credible, courageous, able to speak based on facts and possess the determination to fight for Sabah and its people,” Azizah added.
