KOTA SAMARAHAN: Sarawak sees a real opening for parliamentary seat expansion following the Prime Minister’s acknowledgement of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) seat formula, says Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
The Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister said the Prime Minister’s remarks were encouraging, although any change to parliamentary boundaries remained under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission (EC).
He added that Sarawak has already increased its state seats from 82 to 99 to ease future federal redelineation and strengthen its case.
“The Prime Minister’s personal view is positive for Sabah and Sarawak. At least the direction is now clearer.
“When a Prime Minister expresses such a position, it is difficult to retract later. That gives us some optimism.
“Even if it does not reach one-third immediately, at least it is moving towards that direction,” he said during a press conference on the Samarahan Food and Cultural Festival 2025 (SFCF2025) at the Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS) here today (Nov 17).
Abdul Karim, who is the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Information Chief said the MA63 seat ratio remained a legitimate expectation, but the EC would determine any new allocations during the next review.
He said Sarawak’s expanded state seats would help shape new parliamentary boundaries, potentially resulting in seven to nine new constituencies.
“With 99 state seats now, it becomes easier for the EC to consider new parliamentary divisions,” he said.
“Each parliamentary area could correspond to two state seats, depending on the final review,” he said.
“However, federal seats must be endorsed by Parliament; state assemblies can only propose state-level changes,” he added.
