Any increase in parliamentary seats for Sarawak must be matched by greater representation in Peninsular Malaysia to maintain electoral balance, an analyst has said.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara says the Klang Valley, in particular, is deserving of greater representation given its dense population.
“I’m sure DAP especially wants Kuala Lumpur’s parliamentary seats to be increased, because in any country where democracy is practiced, (the number of) parliamentary seats is based on the population.
“The US is a clear and good example,” he told FMT.
Azmi warned that Sarawak’s claim to be entitled to more seats under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) — rather than based on population size — could spark discontent in the peninsula.
He said political parties in the peninsula would likely push for more seats if Sarawak increases its representation.
“If seven extra parliamentary seats are given to Sarawak, I’m sure they will ask for seven in the peninsula.”
He pointed to the ongoing battle between the Republican and the Democratic parties to create new constituencies in their respective strongholds in a bid to dominate the US Congress.
“The Republicans increased their seats in Texas by five, so the Democrats in California are determined to follow suit,” he said.
Faisal Abdul Aziz, chairman of electoral watchdog Bersih, stressed that any review of parliamentary seat allocations must be premised on the principle that each vote cast must have equal weightage.
“For Bersih, the ‘one person, one vote’ principle matters,” he said.
Faisal said that while the idea of increasing parliamentary representation was acceptable, allocating East Malaysia one-third of the Dewan Rakyat seats would create an “imbalance” and “unfairness” in the distribution of votes nationwide.
He suggested that the concerns of Sabah and Sarawak be addressed in the upper house.
“Borneo can get a third of Dewan Negara seats if they are concerned about the erosion of rights guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.
“The Dewan Negara still has the power to block any amendment to the constitution,” he said.
Last week, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim agreed in principle to consider increasing the number of parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak, according to deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof.
Fadillah said legal issues arising from the “differing views” held by the respective attorneys-general of the federation, Sabah and Sarawak must first be resolved before the matter is tabled in Cabinet.
