There is no need for a referendum to determine the number of people in Sabah and Sarawak who want out of the Malaysian Federation, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Nancy Shukri.

She said the people of Malaysia, including those in East Malaysia, had worked as a team to develop the country and it was unfair to neglect those who helped Sabah and Sarawak achieve "what they have today".

"I don't think there is a need for that yet...there is no need for a referendum because there are more people talking about being in Malaysia, rather than out of Malaysia.

"That doesn't mean we shouldn't fight for what we are supposed to get, in terms of the development to be on par with our counterparts in Peninsular Malaysia," she told reporters after opening the Seminar on Rights and Issues of Women and Children at Wisma Wanita here today.

The seminar was organised by the Judicial and Legal Training Institute (Ilkap), an agency under the Prime Minister's Department, in collaboration with the Sabah Women Advisory Council.

Also present was Sabah Attorney-General Mariati Robert, who is also council chairman.

Nancy was asked on whether there was a need for a referendum in Sabah and Sarawak, as was done by the United Kingdom Government in Scotland.

The Batang Sadong MP stressed that the people of Sabah and Sarawak enjoyed development under the Federation of Malaysia, including education, security and infrastructure, and were accorded some of the special rights.

Meanwhile, she reiterated that the Sedition Act 1948 was essential in safeguarding security, harmony and unity in the country.