Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that the unity government has adopted a policy decision to increase the number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak.
While Putrajaya has not committed to granting the two Bornean states one-third representation in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar said the proposal to expand their seat count has been approved in principle.
“There is no commitment to raising it to one-third representation for Sabah and Sarawak. However, we are committed to increasing the parliamentary seats. As a matter of policy, we must increase them. The Election Commission will determine the exact number of additional seats,” he said.
Anwar was responding to questions on the unity government’s stance regarding long-standing calls from Sabah and Sarawak leaders for stronger parliamentary representation.
“For Sabah and Sarawak, I have already made the decision and informed the Cabinet that we will increase their number of seats. I have instructed the state legal advisers in Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the Attorney-General, to resolve the matter. The principle of increasing parliamentary seats has already been adopted as policy,” he added.
The proposed increase is part of ongoing discussions under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) committee. Currently, Sabah holds 25 parliamentary seats while Sarawak has 31.
Last month in Tawau, Anwar announced plans to add more seats, noting that it would be the first time since 1963 that a Prime Minister has agreed to expand parliamentary representation for both states.
