
The Sarawak government would be tying a noose around its neck should it continue to push for an increase in parliamentary seats without restricting peninsula-based parties from contesting in elections in the state, a local party said.
Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), which champions independence for Sarawak and Sabah, said Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s push for more representation in the lower house was risky if constitutional loopholes were not closed, Dayak Daily reported.
PBK president Voon Lee Shan said loopholes already existed within the Sarawak Constitution, noting that Article 44 defines “citizens” as citizens of the federation, which include Malayans and Sabahans.
Article 16 requires candidates to be “residents” of the federation, which was another loophole.
“With it, Malayans can…