Sarawak Minister Takes Ex Speaker To Task Over 35 Seats

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Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says Azhar Harun had not gone into deeper research on the historical agreements and conventions leading to Malaysia’s formation.
Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said not all safeguards, including 35% parliamentary seats for Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore at the time of Malaysia’s formation, are spelled out in the Federal Constitution. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: A senior Gabungan Parti Sarawak leader has disputed former Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Harun’s take on East Malaysia holding 35% of the seats in the lower house
Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Azhar had not gone into deeper research on the historical agreements and conventions leading to Malaysia’s formation, Dayak Daily reported.
“You put 10 lawyers in one room, you will have 10 different opinions.
“I am also a lawyer, but my research must be corroborated with those from professors and law lecturers who have studied why Malaysia was formed and the safeguards that were agreed upon,” Karim was quoted as saying.
On Sept 24, Azhar said he had reviewed the Malaysia Agreement 1963, the Federal Constitution, the Malaysia Act 1963 as well as the report by the Intergovernmental Committee (IGC).
He said there was nothing in these documents that specified that Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore were to occupy 35% of the seats in the Dewan Rakyat.
Nor was there any clause stipulating that in the event Singapore were to separate from Malaysia, its seats must be given to Sabah and Sarawak.
Karim said the one-third of parliamentary seats for Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore during Malaysia’s formation was a safeguard against dominance by Malaya.
And not all safeguards were spelled out in the Constitution, with many found in minutes of meetings and conventions during negotiations, the state minister said.
“That word is very important – safeguard. This is why we keep insisting that the one-third and two-thirds formula must be preserved, because it is the only way to ensure the rights of Sarawak and Sabah remain protected,” he said.
He said the safeguards were necessary as constitutional amendments required a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Karim said a one-third share meant that Sabah, Sarawak, along with Singapore at the time, had the ability to prevent unilateral amendments that could affect their rights and autonomy.
“Why should we join (the federation) if we do not get something back? Our forefathers fought for safeguards on immigration, natural resources, and regional autonomy,” he said. - FMT

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