KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government has agreed in principle to increase Sabah and Sarawak's representation in Parliament to better reflect the spirit behind the formation of Malaysia, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said the Cabinet had agreed that the number of parliamentary seats held by the two Borneo states should be increased in a way that raises their overall proportion of representation.
When Malaysia was formed in 1963, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore collectively held more than one-third of the seats in Parliament.
Following Singapore's departure from Malaysia in 1965, Sabah and Sarawak's share of parliamentary representation was reduced to the current 56 out of 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.
"This is an important decision. It was agreed in principle earlier by the Cabinet, and last Wednesday, the Cabinet approved in principle an increase in Sabah and Sarawak's representation, taking into account the ratio," Anwar told reporters after chairing the Technical Committee Meeting on the Implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg were also present at the joint press conference following the meeting at the Sabah International Convention Centre here.
Anwar said any addition of parliamentary seats would fall under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission (EC), and could also involve additional seats in Peninsular Malaysia.
However, he stressed that any increase must result in Sabah and Sarawak having a larger share of parliamentary representation than they do now.
"But the additions from Sabah and Sarawak must not undermine the principle that their representation ratio must be higher than it is now," he said.
Anwar said representatives from Sabah and Sarawak would have to discuss the matter with political parties in Peninsular Malaysia.
"Adding seats does not mean simply equalising the numbers as before. The increase must raise the Sabah-Sarawak ratio. That is the first important matter," he said.
Asked whether the government was considering giving Sabah and Sarawak 40% of the seats in Parliament, Anwar said this was not the proposal.
"No. In 1963, with Singapore, it was one-third. Now, let us look at the mechanism.
"The principle is that there must be an increase that raises the representation ratio. That we have agreed on.
"But the details and mechanism must be discussed with the Election Commission, the states and political parties," he said.
Asked whether the changes could be implemented before the next general election, Anwar said he was unsure whether there would be enough time.
"We have to follow the process. I do not want to interfere with the constitutional process.
"The decision has been made and the EC has been informed," he said.
