Kota Kinabalu: The Federal Government has agreed to increase the number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak in a way that raises the representation ratio of the two states, in line with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said this was among the key decisions reached with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg during the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council Meeting at the Sabah International Convention Sabah (SICC), Friday.
“The decision is for MA63 to increase the Sabah-Sarawak ratio. The representatives from Sabah and Sarawak will then, of course, negotiate with the parties in Peninsular Malaysia,” he said in a joint press conference after the meeting.
Anwar said the Federal Cabinet had on Wednesday agreed to and approved in principle an increase in the representation of Members of Parliament from Sabah and Sarawak, taking into account the representation ratio.
He said the increase in seats should not merely equalise the existing ratio, as that would not bring meaningful improvement to the representation of Sabah and Sarawak.
“The increase must also involve a higher Sabah-Sarawak ratio. This needs to be understood.
“The increase in parliamentary seats is within the authority of the Election Commission (EC). This means there may also be an increase from Peninsular Malaysia, as well as an increase from Sabah and Sarawak.
“But this increase must not affect the principle that the representation ratio of Sabah and Sarawak must be higher than it is now,” he said.
He said under MA63, with Singapore’s participation at the time, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore accounted for one third of the representation, but the ratio had since changed.
Anwar said the mechanism and actual number of additional seats would still have to be discussed with the EC, the states and the relevant political parties.
Asked about the possible number of additional seats, he said no specific figure had been determined.
“In 1963, with Singapore involved, it was one third. So now we have to look at the mechanism.
“The principle is that there must be an increase that raises the ratio of representation. We have agreed to that. But, of course, the details and mechanics have to be discussed with the Election Commission, the various states and the various parties,” he said.
Anwar said the Cabinet had made a decision on the principle and he had informed the EC to undertake the necessary consultations.
However, he said he was unsure whether the process could be completed before the next election as it would have to go through the constitutional process.
“For this election, I am not sure whether it can be done in time. There is a process to follow.
“I do not want to interfere with the constitutional process. But the important thing is that the decision has been made and the EC has been informed,” he said.
Anwar said the Government had also agreed to expedite the addition of key positions for Sabah and Sarawak as recognised under MA63 and by previous commissions.
He said the implementation would be carried out in several phases, with the first phase already implemented and the second phase to be expedited.
“This includes what has been mentioned about appointing people from Sabah and Sarawak to key positions in the departments,” he said.
Anwar also stressed that MA63 must be regarded as a national matter and not an issue concerning only Sabah and Sarawak.
“I support the approach that MA63 is a national matter.
“We want to align what is provided for in the Constitution with the integrity of Malaysia as a united nation, which will continue our efforts to develop the country as a whole,” he said.
He said discussions on MA63 should become part of a national narrative, with all parties viewing it as a national commitment and policy.
“This is a national commitment, a national policy.
“When we increase the seats for Sarawak and Sabah in this context, those in Peninsular Malaysia should not think that this is a special privilege for Sarawak and Sabah. It is not.
“So I believe this narrative is accepted by our friends in Peninsular Malaysia as well as Sabah and Sarawak. National policy, national commitment and national narrative,” he said.
Anwar said Malaysia needed to view MA63 in the context of the country’s formation, including the independence of Malaya in 1957 and the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
He said this should form part of the national narrative so that Malaysians would not view issues solely through the lens of race, political parties or their respective groups.
“Malaysia 1963 must be sealed as a national narrative. We have to encourage Malaysians not to talk only in terms of their race, party or group.
“Instead, they should see this as a discourse aimed at strengthening the country,” he said.
