Borneo Bloc 57-seat push faces hard numbers
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Sabah and Sarawak may hold 57 parliamentary seats together, but one political analyst says that number is still not enough to shape federal lawmaking on its own.
Photo: The Borneo Post
KUCHING, July 26: Political analyst Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Jawan has poured cold water on the idea that a proposed Borneo Bloc can strongly influence Parliament just by combining Sabah and Sarawak seats.
He said the two states hold 57 out of 222 Dewan Rakyat seats, or about 26 per cent of the House. That is still far below the 125 seats held by Peninsular Malaysia.
Why the number matters
Jayum said Sabah and Sarawak are equal partners in the formation of Malaysia, but their current seat count cannot stop a law from passing if MPs from the peninsula vote together.
His comments came after Borneo Dayak Forum International president Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Jeffrey Kitingan proposed a Sabah-Sarawak parliamentary alliance to push for constitutional rights under MA63.
Jeffrey said a united front would give both states a stronger voice, especially as Sarawak has made progress on oil and gas rights through political unity under GPS.
Still a bigger conversation
Jayum also acknowledged that the call for greater autonomy under MA63 has gained momentum because federal politics no longer revolves around one dominant party.
So the debate is not over. But his point is simple: unity helps, numbers still matter.
Source: The Borneo Post
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