KOTA KINABALU: Formal discussions for increasing Parliament seats for Sabah and Sarawak has been initiated with the Election Commission, says Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
Mustapha, who led his ministry's Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division (BHESS), said he paid a courtesy call on EC chairman Datuk Ramlan Harun to discuss the Cabinet decision to increase Parliamentary seats from the two states on Tuesday (Sept 22).
He said the discussions focused on the processes and constitutional, legal and technical considerations involved for the increase.
“This included electoral constituency delineation, the data required and the form of engagement between the government, the EC and relevant stakeholders.
“This is not merely about increasing the number of seats. It is about ensuring that the position and voice of Sabah and Sarawak in Parliament are further strengthened in line with the original spirit behind the formation of Malaysia and the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63),” he said in a statement.
Mustapha said BHESS would continue to work closely with the EC to ensure that any follow-up actions are carried out in an orderly manner, in accordance with the Federal Constitution and relevant laws, while respecting the jurisdiction and authority of the EC.
He said the meeting with the EC was a follow-up to the Sept 11 MA63 Technical Committee Meeting (MTPMA63) where Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim informed about the Cabinet discussion to increase the ratio of representation from Sabah and Sarawak.
The Prime Minister had said that there were valid grounds to increase the proportion of Members of Parliament from Sabah and Sarawak, subject to further discussions with the EC.
At present, Sabah and Sarawak hold 56 parliamentary seats, representing 25.3% of the total seats in the Dewan Rakyat.
Mustapha said the proposal was to increase their representation to 35%, balancing the parliamentary seats in Peninsular Malaysia.
