Kuala Lumpur: Gagasan Rakyat Vice President Datuk Masiung Banah said Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said’s recent parliamentary remarks on expanding Sabah and Sarawak’s seats contradicted the Prime Minister’s own commitment on the matter to the Borneo states.
Azalina, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), told the Dewan Rakyat on March 3 that any increase in parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak must be carefully studied given its wider implications for other states.
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She was responding to a written question from Kudat MP Datuk Verdon Bahanda.
Masiung, who is also the Kuamut Assemblyman, said her answer directly conflicts a commitment made by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who on November 16 last year agreed, in principle, to adding seats, which now are lopsided in favour of peninsula.
The current situation on seats also does not reflect the one-third MA63 status which parliament restored through a constitutional amendment in 2022.
“Azalina’s response could create political tension and hurt the feelings of the people of Sabah and Sarawak, as she is opposing the proposal to increase parliamentary seats for both states,” Masiung said.
“Her view contradicts the decision of the Prime Minister, who had already agreed to increase parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak.”
He added that Azalina’s written answer was disrespectful to the people of Borneo.
“This issue could deepen the wound over how the centre treats the Borneo states, which should have their own political autonomy,” he said.
