KOTA KINABALU: The Federal Government has agreed in principle to increase the number of parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak ahead of the next general election.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the move will not meet the one-third representation long sought by leaders of both regions under the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
He told media practitioners in Kota Kinabalu that legal officers from Sabah, Sarawak, and Putrajaya are examining differing interpretations of the one-third quota, including whether Singapore’s past membership should be considered.
Anwar said the policy decision to add seats has been conveyed to Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg, but the final call lies with the Election Commission’s redelineation process.
He added that the exercise will cover the entire country due to wide gaps in constituency sizes, while discussions on the one-third formula must also involve Peninsular MPs who hold the majority of seats.
