How many MPs do Sabah and Sarawak currently have in the Dewan Rakyat?

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Sabah and Sarawak Currently Have a Combined Total of 56 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat

Sabah and Sarawak are currently represented by a combined total of 56 Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Dewan Rakyat. This representation comprises 31 MPs from Sabah and 25 MPs from Sarawak, collectively accounting for approximately 25 percent of the 222 seats in the federal legislature.
Current Distribution of Parliamentary Seats

The current composition of the Dewan Rakyat sees Sabah and Sarawak represented by 31 and 25 MPs respectively. These numbers contribute to a total of 56 MPs from the two East Malaysian states, forming about a quarter of the 222 seats available in the federal parliament. This distribution means that MPs from Peninsular Malaysia hold the remaining 75 percent of the seats.
Context of the Proposal for Increased Representation

The proposal to amend the parliamentary seat quota for Sabah and Sarawak, aiming for at least one-third or 35 percent representation, necessitates direct engagement and political discussions. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has highlighted that securing support from MPs in Peninsular Malaysia is crucial for any constitutional amendment to pass. This is because a two-thirds majority, required for such amendments, could theoretically be achieved without the explicit consent of Sabah and Sarawak MPs if they are not actively involved in the consensus-building process.
Process for Constitutional Amendment

Any decision regarding an increase in parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak is subject to a defined process. If consensus cannot be reached within the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) Implementation Action Council Technical Committee, the matter will be escalated to the main MA63 Implementation Action Council Committee. This higher committee includes key figures such as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. As stated in November 2024, any final decision on this matter is anticipated to be made only after the 16th General Election.
Historical Precedent for Constitutional Amendments

The approach to amending constitutional provisions concerning Sabah and Sarawak has precedent. For instance, a previous amendment to Article 160 of the Federal Constitution involved incorporating key historical documents like the Malaysia Agreement 1963, the Cobbold Commission Report, and the Inter-Governmental Committee report. This was achieved through a process that also required significant discussion and engagement, underscoring the complexity of constitutional changes affecting the representation and rights of the East Malaysian states. The last parliamentary redelineation exercise, which could also impact seat allocation, was conducted in 2006.

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How many MPs do Sabah and Sarawak currently have in the Dewan Rakyat?

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