KUCHING, Oct. 13 -- The one-third parliamentary representation of Sarawak and Sabah in the Dewan Rakyat serves as a constitutional safeguard for the balance of the federation and is not merely a matter of numbers, said Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.

The Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) said the one-third ratio has its basis in the original formation of Malaysia.

"When Malaysia was formed in 1963, Parliament had 159 seats, namely Malaya with 104 seats, Sarawak (24), Sabah (16) and Singapore (15). Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore together held 55 seats, about one-third.

"After Singapore's separation in 1965, this share was not reallocated. Today Sarawak (31) and Sabah (25) hold ...