Sarawak demands one-third parliamentary seat ratio

Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg has stated that any increase in Malaysia’s parliamentary seats must ensure that the combined representation of Sabah and Sarawak restores to one-third of the total. This position follows a principle agreed upon by the Federal Government to increase parliamentary representation for both states, a move that would require amendments to the Federal Constitution.

Abang Johari noted that the one-third ratio is based on historical arrangements from the formation of Malaysia in 1963, including the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), the Cobbold Commission findings, and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report. Currently, Sabah and Sarawak hold 56 of the 222 Dewan Rakyat seats, which accounts for 25 percent of the chamber. The proportion decreased following Singapore’s departure from Malaysia in 1965.