Formal discussions have begun between the Election Commission (EC) and the Ministry in the Prime Minister’s Department on increasing the number of parliamentary seats allocated to Sabah and Sarawak. The meeting took place yesterday in Kota Kinabalu, where Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, who leads the ministry’s Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division (BHESS), met with EC chairman Datuk Ramlan Harun to follow up on a Cabinet decision aimed at enhancing the representation of these two states in Parliament.

The talks focused on a range of procedural, constitutional, legal, and technical issues related to the proposed increase. Among the key topics addressed were the processes for electoral constituency delineation, the necessary data to support such a move, and how the government, the EC, and other relevant stakeholders should engage throughout the process.

Mustapha emphasized that the initiative aims not only to increase the number of seats but also to strengthen the political voice and position of Sabah and Sarawak in Parliament. He linked this objective with the historical context of the formation of Malaysia and the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which originally outlined the terms for the inclusion and autonomy of these states within the federation.

The BHESS will continue to collaborate closely with the EC to ensure that any follow-up actions adhere to the Federal Constitution and respect the EC’s independent jurisdiction. This approach is intended to balance the goal of greater representation for Sabah and Sarawak with the legal frameworks governing Malaysia’s electoral system.