Should parliamentary seats be based on voter numbers, not land size?

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Parliamentary Seats Should Be Allocated Based on Voter Numbers, Not Land Area

The principle of representation in a democracy dictates that parliamentary seats should be allocated according to the number of voters, rather than the geographical size of a constituency. This is crucial for ensuring equitable representation and preventing significant disparities in the democratic voice of citizens, as evidenced by the stark contrast between constituencies like Lubok Antu in Sarawak and Bangi in Selangor.
Disparities in Voter Representation

A significant imbalance in representation is evident when comparing the Lubok Antu constituency in Sarawak with the Bangi constituency in Selangor. Lubok Antu has fewer than 30,000 eligible voters, while Bangi has over 303,000 eligible voters. This numerical difference means that the representation afforded to voters in Bangi is approximately one-tenth of that received by voters in Lubok Antu, creating a substantial democratic deficit for the larger constituency.
Flawed Rationale for Land-Based Representation

The argument that larger rural constituencies, such as Lubok Antu, warrant more representation due to their extensive land area is fundamentally flawed. In any democratic system, the basis for representation should be the number of people who can vote, as it is individuals, not landmass, who participate in the electoral process. Basing representation on land size distorts the principle of "one person, one vote" and disproportionately empowers smaller populations.
Population-Based Allocation: A Global Standard

Globally, democratic nations that employ a federal system, such as the United States, allocate representation in their lower legislative houses based on population. For example, the US House of Representatives features districts with vastly different land sizes, but the number of representatives sent to Congress is determined by the number of constituents. While the US balances this with equal representation in the Senate, the principle of population-driven representation in the lower house is a widely accepted democratic norm. If Malaysia were to adopt a purely population-based allocation for its Members of Parliament (MPs), Sarawak would have approximately 16 MPs and Selangor would have around 48 MPs, reflecting a more accurate distribution of the electorate.

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Should parliamentary seats be based on voter numbers, not land size?

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