No room to negotiate one-third representation principle, says Karim

Sarawak minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has firmly rejected the notion of negotiating the one-third parliamentary representation principle for Sabah and Sarawak. Speaking to the Borneo Post, Hamzah emphasized that this principle was entrenched in the constitutional arrangements established when Malaysia was formed in 1963. According to Hamzah, the formation of Malaysia allocated two-thirds of the seats in the Dewan Rakyat to Malaya, while Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore each received one-third.

This arrangement resulted in Sabah and Sarawak collectively holding 55 seats, or slightly more than a third of the total. The disparity in parliamentary representation became apparent after Singapore’s departure from Malaysia in 1965, when its 15 parliamentary seats were eliminated, leaving Sabah and Sarawak with an even smaller share of the seats.

Hamzah argued that the current parliamentary composition, with Peninsular Malaysia holding over two-thirds of the seats, could enable constitutional amendments requiring a two-thirds majority to be passed without the backing of Sabah and Sarawak representatives. This is the reason behind the Sarawak minister’s insistence on preserving the one-third parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak.

The suggestion of increased parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak comes from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who announced plans to amend the Federal Constitution in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 during a recent speech. Anwar highlighted the need to increase Sabah and Sarawak's representation without undermining the overall need to boost their parliamentary representation.

He also mentioned that the specifics and mechanisms for this amendment would be discussed with relevant parties, including the Election Commission, state governments, and political parties.