Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said officers of the federal and state attorney-general’s departments would focus on the legal aspects of the demand.

In a written reply to Ali Biju (PN-Saratok) in the Dewan Rakyat, he said the Malaysia Agreement 1963 implementation action council had agreed on the matter when it met last month.

The current Dewan Rakyat comprises 222 members, with 25 from Sabah and 31 from Sarawak for a combined 25.2% share of voting power.

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg has said that having one-third representation would be crucial for the Borneo states to prevent the federal government from trying to nullify the provisions of MA63.

When Malaysia was formed in 1963, Malaya was allocated 105 of the 160 seats in the Dewan Rakyat (representing 65% of the House), with Sarawak holding 24 seats, Sabah, 16, and Singapore, 15. The ratio of 65:35 ensured that the non-Malayan states had veto power in the Dewan Rakyat.

When Malaysia was formed in 1963, Malaya was allocated 104 of the 159 seats in the Dewan Rakyat (amounting to 65% of the house), with Sarawak holding 24 seats, Sabah, 16, and Singapore, 15. The non-Malayan share of 34.6% provided them with veto power over constitutional changes, which require a two-third majority of the Dewan Rakyat.

However, when Singapore left the federation in 1965, the non-Malayan share dropped to 27% of the 144 seats in the house.

Last year, deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said it may take two to three years before Sabah and Sarawak can be allocated one-third of the Dewan Rakyat seats.