KUCHING: The call for one-third of parliamentary seats to be allocated to Sabah and Sarawak presents an opportunity to initiate a broader conversation about the balance of power within the federal system.
Political analyst Dr Ammar Redza Ahmad Rizal said that the discussion on the matter must be seen within a broader context.
“Whenever I examine the demand for one-third of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak, I am reminded of the words of a veteran leader: “In Malaysia, it’s not about how many seats we have, but how much weight each voice of our people carries.”
“Thus, as an observer of the development of federalism in Malaysia, I view the demand for one-third of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak as an opportunity to engage in a deeper discussion.
“In a mature federal system, the division of power is not just about representation in Parliament. It involves a complex balance between national interests and the needs of each state – from Perlis to Sabah,” he said.
He said this when contacted by Sarawak Tribune on Sarawak’s demand for one third parliamentary seats, recently.
Referring to some examples, he said in India, states like Uttar Pradesh with a population of almost 200 million, and Sikkim with only 600,000 people, have found a formula to share power without disrupting the stability of the federation.
“In Australia, small Tasmania (in terms of land area) has guaranteed rights in the Senate despite its significant size difference from New South Wales.
“In the context of Malaysia, several critical questions must be considered, such as how do we ensure that every state, regardless of size or population, has a meaningful voice in the national policy-making process? The Federal Territory of Labuan, for instance, has needs just as important as Selangor, though on a different scale.
“But the question is – is increasing the number of parliamentary seats the right answer? I believe we need to look beyond mere numbers. The constitutional amendments required are not only politically complex but could also open the door to undesirable regional tension,” he said.
Following that, Ammar has proposed three approaches that might be more effective.
“Firstly, what are the implications of drastic changes in seat distribution on the stability of the federal system? This is because experience in several federal countries shows that sudden changes can trigger unexpected imbalances.
“Secondly, let us empower the autonomy of both states in areas that have a direct impact on the people – education, health, infrastructure. This would be more meaningful than simply increasing parliamentary representation.
“Thirdly, we need stronger checks and balances to ensure that the voices of Sabah and Sarawak are not sidelined in national policy-making,” he said.
He also expressed his views that Malaysia’s future depends on the wisdom in addressing such issues.
“We must move from the debate of “how many seats” to the discussion of “how to ensure every voice is heard fairly.”
“In conclusion, while this demand raises important issues about power balance, the solution may lie in strengthening existing federal institutions and finding a formula that benefits all parties.
“Our goal should be to build a stronger federation where every state – from north to south, east to west – feels their voice is heard fairly,” said Ammar.
