{
  "id": 10128399,
  "title": "‘No contradiction’: Abang Johari explains why EC says no Sarawak seat proposal yet",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/no-contradiction-abang-johari-explains-why-ec-says-no-sarawak-seat-10128399",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-27T03:26:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/27/no-contradiction-abang-johari-explains-why-ec-says-no-sarawak-seat-proposal-yet/236694"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUCHING, Sept 27 — Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg clarified there is no contradiction between the federal government's agreement in principle to increase parliamentary representation for Sarawak and Sabah and the Election Commission's (EC) statement that no proposal has been made yet. The two statements address different stages of the process, with the federal government's agreement still needing parliamentary approval before the EC can begin reviewing constituencies. Abang Johari explained the federal government has agreed in principle but this must be endorsed by Parliament through a Bill. The EC will then proceed with displaying proposed constituencies, allowing objections, before making further recommendations. This process is similar to how new state seats were approved in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN). On Sept 11, Prime Minister Datuk Anwar Ibrahim announced the Cabinet's agreement to increase parliamentary representation for Sarawak and Sabah. However, EC secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus stated on Sept 25 that there is currently no proposal to increase parliamentary constituencies in Sarawak. Abang Johari expressed hope the federal government would fulfill matters discussed during previous Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Committee meetings, including increased allocations for Sarawak in the 2027 Budget, scheduled to be presented in Parliament on Oct 9.",
  "summary": "KUCHING, Sept 27 — There is no contradiction between the federal government’s agreement in principle to incr...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "‘No contradiction’: Abang Johari explains why EC says no Sarawak seat proposal yet",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/27/no-contradiction-abang-johari-explains-why-ec-says-no-sarawak-seat",
        "published": "2026-09-27T03:26:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}