KOTA KINABALU: A specialised committee must be established to thoroughly examine the proposal for increasing parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak, including determining implementation timelines, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Sabah and Sarawak), Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
He explained that this committee, operating under the Technical Committee of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63), should comprise the Election Commission (SPR), the Legal Affairs Division, the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division (BHESS), and state governments.
Mustapha noted that preliminary discussions between BHESS and the Election Commission have already taken place, though they remain at the stage of gathering information about necessary methodologies and research.
He stressed that any seat increases in Sabah and Sarawak must account for potential seat additions in Peninsular Malaysia to ensure the representation ratio between both regions can be clearly determined.
On September 22, Mustapha stated that Sabah and Sarawak currently hold 56 seats, representing 25.3% of the total Parliament, while discussions centre on raising both regions’ representation to 35%.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously stated that the government agrees in principle to enhance Sabah and Sarawak’s representation ratio from current levels, with specific details and mechanisms requiring refinement in collaboration with the Election Commission and relevant stakeholders.
Mustapha said that this representation increase aims to guarantee that Sabah’s and Sarawak’s voices meaningfully influence the process of determining the nation’s critical policies.
