Anwar: Sabah, Sarawak to get higher parliamentary representation under MA63

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has announced that the government agrees in principle to increase parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak, as outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). This amendment aims to raise the proportion of parliamentary seats held by these two regions, currently not matching their share in the population.

Anwar emphasized that any additional seats could also be added to Peninsular Malaysia, but the crucial point is maintaining a higher representation ratio for Sabah and Sarawak. The actual number of extra seats and whether the two regions would collectively account for 40% of the Dewan Rakyat has not been decided. The discussions will involve representatives from Sabah and Sarawak, as well as political parties from the Peninsula, and will be finalized with the Election Commission and state governments.

The government has not set a specific target of 40% representation for Sabah and Sarawak. Anwar stressed that increasing seats should not merely equalize the existing distribution but should instead increase the ratio of representation for the two regions.