KOTA KINABALU: September 14, 2026 – UPKO Beluran Division has welcomed the proposal to increase parliamentary seats in Sabah and Sarawak, but has urged the Federal Government to expedite its implementation so that it will not remain delayed.
UPKO Beluran Division chief Felix Joseph Saang said the additional parliamentary seats must be realised immediately to strengthen Sabah’s voice at the Federal level.
Felix said the decision to amend the Federal Constitution to allow for additional parliamentary seats was positive, but it must be followed by concrete action.
“UPKO Beluran welcomes the decision. What is more important is ensuring that the implementation process moves immediately and is not delayed further,” he said.
According to Felix, UPKO Beluran has proposed that Sabah be given at least 14 additional parliamentary seats to increase the state’s representation in the Dewan Rakyat.
He said the increase must improve the representation ratio of Sabah and Sarawak, in line with the spirit of the formation of Malaysia and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“The increase in seats is not merely a question of numbers, but of restoring the representation of the people of Sabah and Sarawak to a more balanced position. It is important to ensure that the voices of both states are represented more effectively at the Federal level,” he said.
He added that the need to increase Sabah’s representation was also influenced by the size of its areas, population growth and differing development needs between areas.
He explained that Article 113 gives the Election Commission (EC) the responsibility to review delimitation based on the principles set out in the Thirteenth Schedule.
Felix wants the EC to immediately ensure that the process of increasing and delimiting seats is carried out in an orderly manner.
“There is no reason for this process to be delayed. The EC must act so that the Federal Government’s commitment to additional seats for Sabah and Sarawak is translated into reality,” he said.
Felix stressed that the position of Sabah and Sarawak in the formation of Malaysia in 1963 must be translated through fairer representation in Parliament.
He stressed that the issue of additional seats should not be seen solely from the angle of political interests, but as an effort to strengthen fairness in representation and respect the basis of the formation of Malaysia.
“This is not only a political matter, but one of fairness in representation, recognition of the position of Sabah and Sarawak, and respect for the spirit of the formation of Malaysia,” he said.
