UPKO’s Tuaran MP Wilfred Madius Tangau has called on the Federal Government to clarify the way forward on Sabah and Sarawak’s demand for one-third of parliamentary seats and Sabah’s constitutional entitlement to 40 per cent of federal revenue derived from the state.

He raised both issues during the committee-level debate on Budget 2027 for the Prime Minister’s Department in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.

On the one-third parliamentary representation demand, Madius said the government must explain the proposed seat ratio, allocation formula, whether amendments to the Federal Constitution would be required and the timeline for implementation.

He said clarification was necessary following a meeting on matters relating to the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) on Sept 11.

“This is important to ensure that Sabah and Sarawak’s position and strength of representation in federal decision-making processes remain protected,” he said.

On Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement, Madius stressed that interim payments must not be treated as a substitute for the state’s constitutional rights under Articles 112C and 112D, as well as Part IV of the Tenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.

“Interim payments should not be interpreted as a final settlement or a replacement for Sabah’s constitutional rights,” he said.

He also called for the government to provide details of the calculation formula, agreed revenue data and payment schedule through coordination between the Sabah and Sarawak Affairs Division (BHESS), the Finance Ministry and the Sabah government.

Madius further sought clarification on the mechanism for verifying revenue data and resolving Sabah’s outstanding claims covering the period from 1974 to 2021.

He said the government must guarantee that Sabah’s acceptance of interim payments would not prejudice its right to an actual calculation and settlement of the outstanding entitlement for the period concerned.