Hajiji shifts focus to more parliamentary seats for Sabah as revenue claim drags on

SABAH is seeking to increase its parliamentary representation under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), even as its claim for 40% appeared to have stalled in negotiations.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the state raised two key issues at the MA63 Implementation Action Council meeting in Kuching on Friday, one being more parliamentary seats for Sabah and the inclusion of tourism in the concurrent list.

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had agreed in principle to the proposals but stressed they must first undergo thorough technical study.

“These matters involve constitutional amendments. This is why strong state–federal relations are important,” Hajiji said after the meeting at the Satria Pertiwi Complex.

Sabah’s demand comes against a historical backdrop that when Malaysia was formed in 1963, Article 46 of the Federal Constitution, as amended by the Malaysia Act, allocated one-third of parliamentary seats to Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore as a safeguard against unilateral constitutional changes.

But Singapore’s exit and subsequent redistributions have cut the Borneo bloc’s share to just 25% today.

The Concurrent List refers to areas where both federal and state governments share legislative power, although federal law prevails in case of conflict.

The Sabah delegation included Deputy Chief Ministers Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, Datuk Seri Joachim Gunsalam and Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, along with Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Ariffin Arif, Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew, Community Development and People’s Wellbeing Minister Datuk James Ratib, and State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong.

The Kuching meeting, chaired by Anwar, was also attended by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg who led the state’s delegation.  

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof was also present.

Even as Sabah presses for more parliamentary seats, its 40% revenue entitlement under MA63 remains unresolved at the technical level.

The issue has been raised repeatedly, with state leaders earlier told that progress could come by June 30, though no decision has materialised.

Sabah has maintained that if negotiations with Putrajaya fail, it will call for the appointment of an independent assessor under Article 112D(6) of the Constitution to determine the amount owed. - September 12, 2025