Politics · Malaysia Bureau
Malaysia to amend constitution to increase Sabah, Sarawak parliamentary seats
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says the government has approved a constitutional amendment to boost parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak. The proposal was greenlit by the Cabinet following earlier ministerial approval.
LSN Malaysia ·
The Malaysian government has moved forward with plans to expand the number of parliamentary seats allocated to Sabah and Sarawak, marking a significant step in strengthening representation for the two East Malaysian states.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that the Cabinet has endorsed the constitutional amendment to increase the number of Members of Parliament from both states. The decision came after the principle of enhanced parliamentary participation for Sabah and Sarawak was previously approved by the Cabinet's ministerial committee.
The constitutional amendment reflects the government's commitment to addressing long-standing concerns about the representation levels in East Malaysia. Both Sabah and Sarawak have historically sought greater voice in federal parliament, with population growth and development over recent decades making the case for additional seats.
The move requires parliamentary approval to formally amend the Federal Constitution. This development is expected to have implications for future electoral boundaries and the composition of the 222-member parliament.
The government has not yet disclosed details regarding the exact number of additional seats each state will receive or the timeline for implementation of the constitutional changes.