Zahid said the matter must first be reviewed by the components in the unity government.

“And when the time comes, we will discuss the proposal with the other MPs, including those from the opposition,” he told reporters when met at an Aidilfitri open house at his official residence, here.

Zahid, who is also the Barisan Nasional chairman, said there was a need to discuss the proposal with the Election Commission.

He was commenting on fellow deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof’s remarks earlier today.

Fadillah had said that discussion about the proposals would require face-to-face meetings, especially with MPs from Peninsular Malaysia who occupy 75% of the 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

He said there was a need to gain the support of MPs and explain the rationale for the amendment.

Fadillah had last year said any decision regarding the increase in parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak would only be finalised after the 16th general election.

The last parliamentary redelineation exercise took place in 2006. Currently, Sabah and Sarawak are represented by 25 and 31 MPs, respectively, accounting for 56 out of 222 Dewan Rakyat seats, or approximately 25%.