Kit Siang calls on Sarawak, Sabah to give PH two-thirds majority in parliament
KUCHING: DAP Parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang is relying on Sarawak and Sabah to deliver at least 40 parliamentary seats in the 14th general election to enable Pakatan Harapan ( PH) to win a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
Lim, who is Gelang Patah MP, said a two-thirds majority is required for the PH government to among others, change the structure of the Malaysia Government and review the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Based on his personal analysis, Lim said if there is a 10 per cent swing of Malay votes to PH coupled with a five per cent swing of nonMalay votes to PH in Peninsular Malaysia, the coalition would be able to win 113 seats out of 165 seats in Peninsular Malaysia.
“BN will then be left with 50 seats and PAS two seats. We don’t take into account Sabah and Sarawak. But if we want a new deal and new hope, a change in structure of the Malaysian Government and review of the Malaysia Agreement 1963, we need two-thirds majority.
“The 113 seats are not enough for a two-thirds majority. We must have at least 149 seats. Can we get from Sarawak and Sabah at least 40 parliamentary seats?” he asked during Pakatan Harapan’s ‘New Deal, New Hope’ rally at Taman BDC here on Sunday. Political observers said the 40-parliamentary seat target is an uphill task for PH, considering that PH Sarawak and Sabah are only targeting to win 10 seats each.
The seats that are currently under PH Sarawak are Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Sarikei, Sibu, Lanang and Miri, while PH Sabah currently holds the Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan seats.
Lim believed that the key to change is with the people of Kuching and Sarawak in general, adding that although Barisan Nasional (BN) had a big win in the last state election, come the 14th general election, the people would voice their desire for change.
“They ( BN) said Sarawak is ‘ fixed deposit’ for BN. You’re not going to be fixed deposit for BN, you’re going to be the key for change in 14th general election. This is the time for Kuching and Sarawak to join the people of Malaysia to bring about change.”
Lim said he could feel there is a special expectation towards PH from the people not only in Kuching, but also throughout Malaysia.
“Tonight in Kuching, Sarawak is an indication of the future. We want a new deal and new hope.”
Lim also took a swipe at the state government for barring opposition politicians from entering the state for valid political activities, stating it was an abuse of its immigration power.