PETALING JAYA: The move to give Sabah and Sarawak greater representation in Parliament is a significant step towards fulfilling the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), but experts say the process must be fair and transparent.
Project Stability and Accountability for Malaysia founding member Thomas Fann said adding seats for Sabah and Sarawak without a proportionate increase for states in Peninsular Malaysia could further skew representation in the Dewan Rakyat.
He said Sabah and Sarawak currently hold about 25.2% of Dewan Rakyat seats despite accounting for about 17% of the country’s population.
“We support the original spirit of MA63 that Sabah and Sarawak are partners in the formation of Malaysia in 1963 and, as such, special weightage should be given when it comes to decisions that can fundamentally change the basic structure of Malaysia.”
However, Fann said the government should consider reforming the Dewan Negara as an alternative way to strengthen Sabah and Sarawak’s constitutional safeguards.
He proposed that the two states be allocated 35% of Dewan Negara seats and that the Upper House be given greater powers, including the ability to reject constitutional amendments.
Fann also cautioned against rushing the changes before the next general election, saying a Royal Commission should be formed to study their political and democratic implications.
“All stakeholders should be thoroughly consulted so that such a move, including the Dewan Negara option, could be supported by a broad spectrum of the population,” he said.
Political analyst Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian described the decision as a significant political and constitutional development, saying it recognises Sabah and Sarawak’s demand for a stronger voice under the federal arrangement.
He said the key now is to establish a formula that would be acceptable to all states.
“The number alone does not determine whether the spirit of MA63 has been fulfilled,” he said.
On determining the number of extra seats, Sivamurugan said population, constitutional history, geographical realities and federal balance should be considered.
Sivamurugan said the changes could ideally be implemented before the 16th General Election if there is sufficient time.
However, he said the process should not be rushed as any increase would require constitutional amendments passed by Parliament following Election Commission recommendations.
