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8 clusters · 20 sources · 53 days · First seen 2 months ago · Last updated 13 days ago

Malaysia federal-state cooperation on MA63

Overview

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has engaged in high-level discussions to strengthen cooperation regarding the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). In late August 2026, during the 27th Annual Leaders' Consultation in Brunei, Anwar met with Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah to sign various bilateral cooperation documents. Alongside the summit, Anwar met with Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor and Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg to discuss federal-state cooperation and prepare for the upcoming MA63 Executive Action Council meeting. By September 2026, during the MA63 Implementation Action Council meeting in Kota Kinabalu, Anwar and Hajiji Noor reaffirmed the necessity of close ties between the Federal Government, Sabah, and Sarawak. Anwar characterized the Borneo states as ‘loyal partners in the Unity Government’ essential for national stability, while Hajiji Noor emphasized that mutual respect is required to resolve remaining MA63 issues ahead of Malaysia Day celebrations. Anwar further proposed that the implementation of the agreement be treated as a ‘national narrative’ to ensure stability and unity. Following these discussions, the Federal Government agreed in principle to restore one-third representation for Sabah and Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat. On September 13, 2026, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim agreed in principle to this increase, which Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg described as a triumph for the unified East Malaysian political bloc. By late September 2026, discussions shifted toward the legal mechanisms for implementation. Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak emphasized that the objective is ensuring Sabah and Sarawak collectively hold one-third of total parliamentary seats. To facilitate this, a special committee under the MA63 Technical Committee has been proposed to study methods for increasing seats. Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri noted that determining a suitable legal formula requires high-level discussions between the Prime Minister and East Malaysian leaders.

Entities

Sarawak · Anwar Ibrahim · Malaysia Agreement 1963 · Sabah · Abang Johari Tun Openg

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] The federal Cabinet has agreed in principle to increase the number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak.
[● 6 SOURCES] Any increase in seats must ensure the representation ratio for Sabah and Sarawak is higher than current levels.
[● 6 SOURCES] The Election Commission has been notified to begin consultations regarding the seat increase.
[● 4 SOURCES] The federal government will increase interim allocations to Sabah to RM1.5 billion starting this year.
[● 4 SOURCES] The Sabah government requests the acceleration of the 40% net tax revenue rights issue.

Timeline

13 days ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Sabah and Sarawak parliamentary seat increase requires constitutional amendment
The federal government has agreed in principle to increase parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak, a move requiring a two-thirds majority constitutional amendment in Parliament.
22 days ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Borneo bloc seeks 35 per cent of Malaysian parliamentary seats
The Malaysian government is discussing a proposal to grant Sabah and Sarawak at least 35 per cent of Dewan Rakyat seats, with a special committee proposed to oversee the implementation.
about 1 month ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Abang Johari clarifies process for increasing Sarawak parliamentary seats
Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg stated that increasing parliamentary seats must follow formal procedures and Parliament's approval, addressing recent clarifications from the Election Commission.
about 1 month ago

[POLITICS] 4 sources
Sabah and Sarawak parliamentary seat representation under review
Malaysian officials are discussing increasing parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak to meet the one-third representation goal outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
about 1 month ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Sarawak demands one-third parliamentary seat ratio
Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg insists that any increase in Malaysian parliamentary seats must restore the combined representation of Sabah and Sarawak to one-third of the total.
about 1 month ago

[POLITICS] 4 sources
Anwar Ibrahim agrees to one-third parliamentary representation for East Malaysia
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has agreed in principle to restore one-third representation for Sabah and Sarawak in the Dewan Rakyat, a major milestone in MA63 negotiations.
about 2 months ago

[POLITICS] 17 sources
Malaysia to increase Sabah and Sarawak parliamentary representation
The Malaysian government has agreed in principle to increase parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak under MA63 and will increase Sabah's interim special allocation to RM1.5 billion.
2 months ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
Anwar Ibrahim attends Malaysia-Brunei summit and discusses MA63 with state leaders
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attended the 27th Malaysia-Brunei Annual Leaders' Consultation, signing bilateral MoUs and meeting with Sabah and Sarawak leaders to discuss MA63 implementation.

Sources

dayakdaily.com · freemalaysiatoday.com · justicenews.co.in · kosmo.com.my · malay.news · malaysiadateline.com · mediaindonesia.com · ocdn.com.my · overseaschinesedailynews.com.my · reddot.my · sabahheadlines.com · sabahnews.com.my · sabahnewstoday.com.my · sarawakdaily.com · sayangsabah.com.my · tawaukini.com.my · thesun.my · tvsabahnews.com · tvsarawak.my · utusan.com.my

This summary has been updated 8 times: see revision history