KUCHING, Oct 14: Sabah and Sarawak would need a combined 74 parliamentary seats to account for one-third of the current 222-seat Dewan Rakyat, based on the representation principle associated with the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali said Sarawak and Sabah currently held 56 parliamentary seats, representing about 25 per cent of the total.
“When Malaysia was formed in 1963, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore together held approximately one-third of the seats in Parliament. Today, Sarawak and Sabah hold 56 of the 222 seats, which is about 25 per cent.
“Based on the current total of 222 parliamentary seats, one-third would amount to 74 seats,” she said in response to questions from Bukit Assek assemblyman Chieng Jin Ek during the question-and-answer session at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUNS) sitting today.
