The Election Commission will review electoral constituency boundaries nationwide following potential constitutional amendments to increase parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak.
Election Commission Prepares for Nationwide Boundary Review
The Election Commission has confirmed plans to conduct a comprehensive review of electoral boundaries across the country. The upcoming delineation process remains subject to amendments to the Federal Constitution being approved by Parliament.
EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun outlined the commission’s position in a statement issued on September 13. The announcement follows discussions held during the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council meeting, which convened on September 11.
According to the commission’s official statement, officials took note of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks concerning the legislative changes. The proposed reforms aim to expand the total number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak.
Representation Ratios and Peninsular Malaysia Impact
The planned seat increases will not be limited solely to the Borneo states. The proposed increase would also take into account the parliamentary constituencies located within Peninsular Malaysia.
EC leadership emphasized that the overall representation ratio for Sabah and Sarawak will shift upward from its current baseline. Historical context dates back to the formation of Malaysia in 1963, when the federal Parliament originally maintained a structural safeguard ensuring that representatives from Singapore and the Borneo states made up one-third of the legislature. This constitutional design prevented Malaya from holding more than two-thirds of the total parliamentary seats.
Following Singapore’s departure from the federation in 1965, the proportional representation of Sabah and Sarawak dropped to roughly 25 per cent of the total 222 parliamentary seats, while Peninsular Malaysia’s share expanded to 75 per cent.
Next Steps and Official Decision Timeline
The electoral authority has indicated that further specifics regarding the delineation process will be released at a later date. The agency stated that it would provide further clarification once an official decision has been finalized and concrete developments are ready for public announcement.
Until Parliament formally amends the Federal Constitution, the Election Commission’s proposed boundary adjustments remain on hold. The commission maintains that its eventual review will encompass all three areas once the legislative prerequisites are met.
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