Kota Kinabalu: Inanam PGRS Division Chief Datuk Dr Roland Chia voiced support for the suggestion that Sarawak and Sabah hold one-third of the nation’s parliamentary seats. 

He supported the call by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg Chairman of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Datuk Joniston Bangkuai Information Chief of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) on the need for Sarawak and Sabah to receive a third of the country’s parliamentary seats. 

To protect their interests, Sabah and Sarawak need to receive one-third in order to preserve the integrity and spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963. An increase in parliamentary seats should also represent Sabah and Sarawak’s status as equal partners in the nation, he said.

He said during the formation of Malaysia in 1963, the combined number of seats from Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore had been 35 per cent or one-third in Parliament. After Singapore was expelled in 1965, its parliamentary seats were all allocated to Peninsular Malaysia.