Additional seats in Dewan Rakyat, not the Senate!

The debate on increasing representation for Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysia’s legislative framework is not new. However, the recent proposal by Projek SAMA, an NGO advocating institutional reform, has stirred some discussion.

Its suggestion to allocate 15 additional seats in the Dewan Negara to both Sarawak and Sabah has raised concerns about its true impact. This so-called ‘Dewan Negara 35/100’ proposal claims would give East Malaysia 35 per cent of the Senate’s seats, strengthening its voice in legislative processes.

But is this what we need? Not!

Sarawak and Sabah’s long-standing demand has been clear: we want more representation in Parliament, not the Senate. Any attempt to push for Senate seats as a solution feels more like a distraction – a “trick” to maintain the status quo in the Dewan Rakyat. This is where the real power lies and we must focus our efforts.

I will tell you why Dewan Negara seats are not the solution. Firstly, the Dewan Negara is widely recognised as lacking political legitimacy. Unlike the Dewan Rakyat, its members are not directly elected by the people but appointed, making it a second-tier legislative body with limited influence.

Secondly, increasing the number of senators from East Malaysia would not translate into real political power because, fundamentally, the Senate is not where major decisions are made.

Professor Dr James Chin, a well-known scholar on East Malaysian politics, points out that the Dewan Negara does not hold substantial authority. Its role is secondary, as it only debates laws that the Dewan Rakyat has already passed.

The Senate’s main function is to delay legislation rather than make decisive changes. The proposal to increase Senate representation would give Sarawak and Sabah more voices in a forum with little legislative power.

The real power lies in the Dewan Rakyat. It is the true heart of Malaysia’s legislative process. It is here that all major laws are introduced and debated. The prime minister, his deputies, and most ministers are members of the Dewan Rakyat, not the Dewan Negara.

In contrast, those appointed to the Senate often serve as a political afterthought – a reward for retired politicians or individuals with close ties to the ruling party. These ‘belakang kira’ (backdoor) ministers, as they are sometimes called, lack the direct accountability and political clout that comes with being elected in the Dewan Rakyat.

We need representation in this chamber to have a meaningful say in the country’s governance. With only 25 per cent of the seats in Parliament currently held by MPs from Sarawak and Sabah, it is clear that both states are under-represented.

This figure pales in comparison to the influence that Malayans wield, giving them the ability to push through constitutional amendments without the consent of East Malaysia.

This is why the original demand for more seats in the Dewan Rakyat is so important. It is in the Dewan Rakyat where political battles are won and lost, where policies are shaped, and where the fate of the nation is decided.

The argument for more representation in Parliament stems from historical grievances that date back to the formation of Malaysia. Under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63), Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore were given assurances of significant representation in Parliament to prevent Malaya from dominating the federation.

At the time of Malaysia’s formation, Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore were allocated slightly more than one-third of the total parliamentary seats. This was a safeguard – a veto power – ensuring that constitutional amendments could not be passed unilaterally by Malaya.

However, when Singapore left the federation in 1965, its 15 parliamentary seats were not redistributed to Sarawak or Sabah. This historical oversight resulted in an imbalance that persists today, with Malaya controlling more than two-thirds of Parliament.

The ongoing negotiations, led by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, to restore our rights under MA63 must not lose sight of this fundamental issue. We cannot allow distractions like the Projek SAMA proposal to shift the focus away from the core demand of equal representation in the Dewan Rakyat.

Any attempt to push for Senate seats as a solution is simply a means to placate East Malaysia without addressing the root of the problem.

Proponents of the Dewan Negara 35/100 proposal argue that increasing Senate seats will give East Malaysia a stronger voice in the legislative process. But what they fail to acknowledge is that the Senate has no real power to block laws.

At best, it can delay legislation, but it cannot veto it outright. This limitation means that even with 35 per cent of the Senate seats, we would still be left without the ability to decisively influence national policies.

Furthermore, the very nature of the Senate as an appointed body undermines its legitimacy. Senators are not elected by the people but appointed by Putrajaya, state assemblies, or selected based on political convenience. This makes the Senate less accountable to the public and diminishes its role as a true representative body.

What we need is more representation in the Dewan Rakyat. This would not only restore the balance of power but also ensure that the interests of Sarawak and Sabah are adequately represented in the legislative process.

With the introduction of automatic voter registration and the lowering of the voting age to 18, the number of voters in both states has increased significantly. Many constituencies, especially in rural areas, are vast and under-represented.

A re-delineation process is long overdue, one that reflects the growing population and restores the one-third representation that was promised under MA63.

Sarawak and Sabah must remain steadfast in their demand for more seats in the Dewan Rakyat. The proposal to increase Senate seats may seem like a step forward, but it is nothing more than a distraction from the real issue at hand.

East Malaysia needs a stronger voice where it matters most – in the Dewan Rakyat, where laws are made, policies are shaped, and the future of the nation is decided.

Fadillah and other leaders negotiating on behalf of us must not compromise on this fundamental issue. The fight for more parliamentary seats is about restoring balance, ensuring accountability, and securing a future where we have an equal say in the nation’s direction.

Senate seats may offer more visibility, but they do not offer real power.

Let’s not be fooled by this ‘trick’. The only way forward is through greater representation in Parliament.

Hear ye, hear ye, Putrajaya! We want additional seats in the Dewan Rakyat, not the Senate!

DISCLAIMER:

The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune.