KUALA LUMPUR – Sabah and Sarawak should not be judged solely by the number of parliamentary seats they hold, as the formation of Malaysia was founded on the principle of equal partnership under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Federal Constitution, says Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.
Shafie said Malaysia's strength lies not merely in parliamentary numbers or a simple majority, but in respecting the rights and constitutional position of Sabah and Sarawak as equal founding partners of the Federation.
"Malaysia was built on the principle of partnership, not merely on the number of parliamentary seats. What has been agreed upon under the Federal Constitution and MA63 must continue to be respected, regardless of who forms the government," he was quoted as saying by Berita Warisan.
He made the remarks during an interview on BFM Radio's podcast while responding to suggestions that political coalitions in Peninsular Malaysia could form the federal government after the next general election without relying on parties from Sabah and Sarawak.
Shafie argued that Malaysia's increasingly fragmented political landscape makes cooperation between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak even more critical in forming a stable federal government that genuinely represents the entire Federation.
He stressed that safeguarding the rights of Sabah and Sarawak, including the full implementation of provisions under the Federal Constitution and MA63, will remain a key priority for Warisan. - August 4, 2026
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