Tambahan kerusi Sabah, Sarawak pulih keseimbangan Parlimen, kata Salleh

Former Sabah Chief Minister Salleh Said Keruak has stated that the proposal by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to increase representation for Sabah and Sarawak in Parliament would restore the crucial balance that existed when Malaysia was formed. Both Borneo states should have at least one-third of the number of parliamentary seats, consistent with the protection and spirit that underpin federal formation.

The Bendahara of Umno Sabah highlighted that Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore collectively provided a vital balance in Parliament when Malaysia was established in 1963. The land of Malaya was allocated 105 of the 160 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, representing 65% of the voting power in that chamber, while Sarawak had 24 seats, Sabah 16, and Singapore 15.

This arrangement meant that Malaya did not have the two-thirds majority required to amend the Constitution. However, following Singapore's withdrawal from Malaysia, the 15 seats held by Singapore were not redistributed to Sabah and Sarawak, leaving both states with only 56 parliamentary seats (25.2%) out of 222, falling short of the one-third representation.

Recently, Anwar asserted that the Constitution would be amended to allow for an increase in parliamentary seats for both Sabah and Sarawak, in line with the 1963 Malaysia Agreement. He also mentioned the possibility of additional parliamentary seats in the Peninsula, although this should not diminish the need to enhance representation for Sabah and Sarawak.