KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government has agreed in principle to increase Sabah and Sarawak’s representation in Parliament, marking a significant step towards strengthening the two states’ voice in the Dewan Rakyat.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Cabinet had endorsed the proposal and instructed the Election Commission (EC) to begin consultations on the mechanism for its implementation.
He said the move was not simply about increasing the number of parliamentary seats, but ensuring Sabah and Sarawak received a larger share of parliamentary representation.
“The increase must also involve a higher ratio for Sabah and Sarawak.
“It is an increase in seats together with an increase in the ratio of Sabah and Sarawak’s representation. That is the first and most important point,” he said after chairing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting here today (Sept 11).
Anwar said the mechanism for increasing parliamentary representation should reflect the original spirit behind the formation of Malaysia.
He noted that before Singapore left the Federation, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore collectively accounted for one-third of the seats in Parliament.
However, he said the number of additional seats and the mechanism for implementing the proposal would require further discussions involving the EC, the affected states and political parties.
Asked whether the changes could be in place before the next general election, Anwar said it was too early to determine, as the proposal would have to go through the necessary constitutional process.
“The Cabinet has already made the decision. I have informed the EC and they will begin consultations.
“As for whether it can be done in time for this election, I am not sure. We need to reach a consensus and, after that, the necessary process must be followed,” he said.
He stressed that the government would ensure the proposal followed the constitutional process while moving forward with efforts to increase Sabah and Sarawak’s parliamentary representation.
