Kota Kinabalu: Former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak (pic) has questioned whether the proposed increase in parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak is aimed at restoring one-third representation or merely adding seats.
He said the two objectives were different as increasing seats would not necessarily strengthen Sabah and Sarawak if seats in Peninsular Malaysia were also increased.
“The real issue is not how many seats are added, but what percentage of the total parliamentary seats will ultimately be held by Sabah and Sarawak,” he said in a Facebook post.
Salleh said Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore collectively held about one-third of parliamentary seats when Malaysia was formed in 1963, but Singapore’s exit in 1965 changed the arrangement.
He said the Federal Government should clarify whether its objective was one-third representation or simply additional seats, as the issue concerned whether Sabah and Sarawak’s representation reflected the spirit and understanding behind the formation of Malaysia.
