Malaysia Government Signals Plan to Strengthen Parliamentary Representation for Sabah and Sarawak
Malaysia’s government has agreed in principle to increase the proportion of parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said following a meeting of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council.
The proposed change is linked to the constitutional position of the two Borneo states under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Implementing the change will require amendments to Malaysia’s Federal Constitution.
The Prime Minister said the Cabinet had agreed to the proposal in principle. He described the decision as an important step toward restoring the representation of Sabah and Sarawak in Parliament in line with the spirit of MA63.
Historically, Sabah and Sarawak, together with Singapore at the time of the formation of Malaysia, represented a significant share of parliamentary representation. The government is now considering an increase in the proportion of seats allocated to the two states.
The issue was discussed during the 2026 Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council meeting in Sabah. The meeting also examined other elements of MA63 implementation, including the Federal Public Service in Sabah and Sarawak.
According to the government’s position, implementation of the proposed parliamentary change requires a constitutional process. The proposal therefore involves consultations and the necessary legislative amendments before any new arrangement can take effect.
The government also discussed accelerating the creation of federal posts in Sabah and Sarawak and increasing the appointment of Sabahans and Sarawakians to key positions in the Federal Public Service.
The Prime Minister said the first phase of the related public-service implementation had already been completed, while the second phase would be accelerated.
The parliamentary representation issue has been a major component of discussions surrounding MA63, which sets out arrangements connected with the formation of Malaysia in 1963. Sabah and Sarawak have continued to raise questions concerning their constitutional and administrative position within the federation.
The latest government decision places greater emphasis on representation alongside other MA63 implementation measures. Any change in the number or distribution of parliamentary seats will ultimately depend on the constitutional amendment process.
The government has also continued to address the wider implementation of MA63 through the dedicated action council, bringing together federal and state representatives to review outstanding issues and determine measures for implementation.
The proposal concerning parliamentary representation therefore represents one of the latest steps in the government’s continuing MA63 agenda, with constitutional amendments required before the proposed increase can be implemented.
