Law Minister Azalina not objecting to one-third parliamentary seats for 2 Bornean States

Azalina met by the media on the sidelines of Sarawak Legislative Assembly on Oct 19, 2026.

By Lian Cheng

KUCHING, Oct 19: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Dato Sri Azalina Othman Said has clearly stated her stance that she does not object to Sarawak and Sabah’s claim of one-third parliamentary seats.

Her clear stance came about when asked by the media on the sidelines of Sarawak Legislative Assembly today whether she was objecting to Sarawak and Sabah’s claim to one-third parliamentary seats, to which she clearly stated—”Oh no, definitely not.”

She insisted that there has been no misunderstanding over her stance on the issue when she answered Verdon on March 3 parliamentary session.

She further explained that the answer she gave on on the day was on behalf of the minister in charge of the MA63 (the Malaysia Agreement 1963) Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) and the Election Commission where she has no details with regards to the processes and timing.

On March 3, when answering to a question posed Kudat MP Datuk Verdon Bahanda in parliamentary session, Azalina said any increase in parliamentary seats for Sarawak and Sabah must be carefully studied given its wider implications for other states.

On Oct 19, 2026, in response to Azalina, Gagasan Rakyat vice president Datuk Masiung Banah commented that Azalina’s remarks on one-third parliamentary seats directly contradicted Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who on November 16, 2025, had agreed to increase the seats of the two Bornean States.

“Azalina’s response could create political tension and hurt the feelings of the people of Sabah and Sarawak, as she is opposing the proposal to increase parliamentary seats for both States.

“Her view contradicts the decision of the Prime Minister, who had already agreed to increase parliamentary seats of Sabah and Sarawak,” Masiung was reported saying by Daily Express.

Masiung further held that Azalina’s written answer was disrespectful of the people of Borneo, adding that the issue could deepen the wound over how the Federal Government treats the two Bornean States, which should have their own political autonomy.

Sarawak and Sabah have been demanding one-third representation in Parliament based on the spirit of MA63.

The legal and historical foundation for this rule stems from the structural composition of parliamentary seats agreed upon at formation, detailed in the Inter-Government Committee (IGC) Report 1962 and enacted via the Malaysia Act 1963.

When Malaysia was formed in 1963, Parliament had 159 seats where Malaya took up 104 seats (65.4 per cent); Sarawak, 24 seats (15.1 per cent); Sabah, 16 seats (10.1 per cent) and Singapore, 15 seats (9.4 per cent).

The non-Malayan entities (Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore) collectively held 55 out of 159 seats or 34.6 per cent of the total seats.

When Singapore exited the Federation in 1965, its 15 parliamentary seats were redistributed entirely to Peninsular Malaysia rather than maintaining the ratio for Sabah and Sarawak.

Today, Peninsular Malaysia holds 166 out of 222 seats (74.8 per cent) while Sarawak and Sabah combined hold only 56 seats (less than 25.2 per cent).—DayakDaily