Abang Johari clarifies process for increasing Sarawak parliamentary seats

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg has clarified that the Election Commission’s (EC) recent statement regarding the lack of proposals to increase Sarawak’s parliamentary seats does not contradict previous discussions. He explained that any increase in parliamentary representation must follow established legal procedures, including being presented to and approved by Parliament.

The Premier noted that while the federal government has made an in-principle decision to increase representation for Sabah and Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the specific number of seats and the formal process have not yet commenced. Once Parliament approves the increase, the EC would then begin the process of redelineating boundaries and displaying proposed constituencies for public review and objection.

The EC previously clarified that no current proposal exists to increase the number of parliamentary constituencies in Sarawak, noting that the only active exercise is the Seventh Sarawak Electoral Constituency Redelineation Review, which focuses on increasing Sarawak Legislative Assembly seats from 82 to 99.