By DayakDaily Team
KOTA KINABALU, Sept 11: The federal government has agreed in principle to increase the ratio of parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak in line with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
In a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said any increase in parliamentary seats in the future must ensure that the representation ratio for Sabah and Sarawak becomes higher, rather than merely maintaining the existing ratio.
He said the matter was agreed upon by the Cabinet and that the Election Commission (EC) had been informed to begin the relevant process and consultations.
“The addition of Members of Parliament (MPs) falls under the jurisdiction of the EC. This means there could also be additional seats from Peninsular Malaysia, as well as from Sabah and Sarawak.
“However, any increase cannot undermine the principle that the representation ratio of Sabah and Sarawak must be higher than it is now,” he said during a press conference after chairing the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here today.
Elaborating, Anwar said that when Malaysia was formed in 1963, involving Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak, the combined territories accounted for approximately one-third of the total representation.
Therefore, he said, the principle now agreed upon was to ensure that any increase in parliamentary seats would also result in a higher representation ratio for Sabah and Sarawak.
“An increase can be confusing. An increase does not mean that it would merely bring the ratio to the same level as what currently exists.
“Therefore, an increase accompanied by a higher representation ratio for Sabah and Sarawak is what is important,” he explained.
The Prime Minister said the detailed mechanism for implementing the decision would be discussed with the EC, State governments, and the relevant political parties.
Asked whether the changes could be implemented before the next general election, he said this would depend on the processes that need to be completed, including constitutional requirements.
“I think for this election, I am not sure whether there will be enough time because there is a process that needs to be followed.
“I do not want to disrupt the constitutional process. But what is important is that the decision has been made, and the EC has been informed,” he said.
At the same time, Anwar stressed that the implementation of MA63 should be viewed as a national commitment and narrative, rather than as a sectoral issue or one concerning only the interests of Sabah and Sarawak.
He said this approach was important to ensure that Malaysians understood that fulfilling the matters agreed upon under MA63 formed part of the nation’s commitment to strengthening Malaysia.
Also present during the press conference were Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor. — DayakDaily
