Azalina denies opposing Sarawak, Sabah’s one-third Parliament demand

KUCHING : Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has denied opposing Sarawak and Sabah’s demand for one-third representation in Parliament.

She clarified that her previous parliamentary response on the matter does not amount to opposition to the proposal, stressing that she was merely answering on behalf of the government.

“Oh no, definitely not. My parliamentary statements are never misunderstood.

“I believe the matter involves the Election Commission at both state and federal levels. I am not fully aware of the processes, timelines or negotiations involved.

“I am not in charge of the Election Commission. My role is simply to respond on behalf of the government. That is my responsibility,” she said.

She said this when met by reporters after witnessing the signing ceremony for the establishment of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC) Sarawak at Dewan Kenyalang, State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex here today (Oct 19).

Her clarification follows criticism over her March 3 parliamentary reply to Kudat MP Datuk Verdon Bahanda.

In that reply, Azalina said any increase in parliamentary seats for Sarawak and Sabah required careful consideration due to its wider implications for other states.

Her remarks drew criticism from Gagasan Rakyat vice-president Datuk Masiung Banah, who claimed her response contradicted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s earlier support for increasing parliamentary representation for both states.

Sarawak and Sabah have long sought one-third representation in the Dewan Rakyat, citing the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

Currently, the two states collectively hold 56 of the 222 parliamentary seats, representing about 25.2 per cent of the total.