Government agrees to increase Sabah, Sarawak MP ratio – Anwar

Anwar said the meeting also discussed accelerating the creation of posts and the Borneonisation of the Federal Public Service in Sabah and Sarawak, as provided for under MA63 and recommended by the Cobbold Commission.

KOTA KINABALU: The government has agreed to increase the proportion of parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak beyond the current level, in line with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.

He said the move would require a constitutional amendment to increase the representation of MPs from the two states.

“Under MA63, with Singapore included at the time, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak accounted for one-third of the representation. The proportion is now obviously lower. So, our decision is that the ratio for Sabah and Sarawak must be increased.

“This is an important decision that the Cabinet agreed to in principle, in its meeting last Wednesday,” he told reporters after chairing the 2026 Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) here today.

Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

Anwar said the move was not merely about increasing the number of seats, but ensuring that Sabah and Sarawak’s proportion of parliamentary representation also rises.

Asked whether the government was targeting 40 per cent of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak, he said the mechanism and details would need to be discussed with the Election Commission (EC).

He said it was also uncertain whether the increase could be implemented before the next general election, as it would have to undergo consultation and constitutional processes.

Anwar said the meeting also discussed accelerating the creation of posts and the Borneonisation of the Federal Public Service in Sabah and Sarawak, as provided for under MA63 and recommended by the Cobbold Commission.

“The first phase of implementation has been completed, while the second phase will be expedited, including the appointment of Sabahans and Sarawakians to key positions,” he added.