Why are additional parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak delayed until after GE16?

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Additional Parliamentary Seats for Sabah and Sarawak Delayed Until After GE16 Due to Legal Review

The finalisation of additional parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak has been postponed until after the 16th General Election (GE16). This delay is primarily due to the necessity of reviewing several complex legal aspects before any amendments can be proposed in the Dewan Rakyat. The Attorney General’s Chambers and the respective State Attorney General Chambers in Sabah and Sarawak require time to thoroughly discuss and deliberate on these legal considerations.
Legal and Procedural Review Underway

The process for implementing additional parliamentary seats involves a comprehensive legal review. This includes examining various legal facets that necessitate careful consideration and discussion among the key legal bodies. Reports from the three legal advisers, namely the Attorney General’s Chambers, the Sabah State Attorney General Chambers, and the Sarawak State Attorney General Chambers, are scheduled to be presented in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 Implementation Action Council (MTPMA63) meeting. This meeting is anticipated to take place in the first quarter of the upcoming year, indicating a structured approach to addressing the legal intricacies.
Election Commission's Ongoing Study

While the legal review is in progress, the Election Commission (EC) has been actively engaged in its own assessments. As of the information available, the EC has completed its study concerning the matter specifically within Sarawak. However, a similar comprehensive study for Sabah appears to be either ongoing or not yet concluded, contributing to the overall timeline for a final decision. The EC's findings are a crucial component in the broader discussions surrounding the allocation of additional seats.
Discussion within the MTPMA63 Framework

The claims for additional parliamentary seats have been a subject of discussion within the MTPMA63 framework. This council, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, convened in September to address this significant issue. The inclusion of this topic in the MTPMA63 highlights the federal government's commitment to resolving matters pertaining to the Malaysia Agreement 1963, which underpins the special provisions for Sabah and Sarawak.
Historical Context of Redelineation

The current parliamentary seat allocation for Sabah and Sarawak, comprising 25 and 31 seats respectively, represents 25 per cent of the total 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat. The last significant constituency redelineation exercise that involved parliamentary seats was conducted in 2006. The extended period since the last redelineation, coupled with the unique legal and constitutional considerations for Sabah and Sarawak, underscores the complexity and time-intensive nature of the current review process for additional seats.

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Why are additional parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak delayed until after GE16?

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