Perlembagaan akan dipinda untuk tambah kerusi Parlimen Sabah, Sarawak, kata PM

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia's constitution will be amended to increase the number of parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak, in line with the 1963 Malaysia Agreement. He emphasized that the addition must ensure a higher ratio of representation for Sabah and Sarawak compared to the current situation. Several decisions were made hastily, but this particular one is significant as it allows the inclusion of more Sabah and Sarawak MPs beyond what was promised in the MA63.

The addition would also need to involve the ratio of Sabah-Sarawak seats, which is crucial for the appointment of the Election Boundary Commission (SPR), according to Sinar Harian in Kota Kinabalu. Anwar stated this during a press briefing after chairing the 2026 Implementation Implementation of the Malaysia Agreement (MTPMA63) session.

The session was attended by Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor, Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg, and the Deputy Prime Minister (Sabah and Sarawak) Mustapha Sakmud. Currently, Sabah has 25 parliamentary constituencies while Sarawak has 31. The possibility of adding parliamentary seats on the mainland cannot be ruled out either, but it should not undermine the principle of increasing the representation ratio of Sabah and Sarawak from its current standing.

He referred to the position during the formation of Malaysia in 1963 when Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak collectively held one-third of the seats. This means that there could also be additions from the mainland, from Sabah and Sarawak, but this addition cannot lower the principle of Sabah and Sarawak's higher representation ratio than what exists now.

Although the MA63 agreement included Singapore as one-third of the total seats, the current ratio is less favorable. Anwar said that the representatives from Sabah and Sarawak will hold discussions with the party regarding this matter. He reiterated that the principle of increasing the representation of Sabah and Sarawak MPs has been approved earlier by the Cabinet and was subsequently approved at the Kabinet meeting, taking into account the increase in the representation ratio for both regions.

This addition may seem confusing, but it does not necessarily mean he only wants an equalization of representation, as he stated, the primary focus is on increasing the representation ratio of Sabah and Sarawak.