Henry: Increasing state seats a logical step toward more parliamentary representation
KUCHING (July 7): The move to increase state seats is a logical step toward increasing parliamentary seats for Sarawak, said Deputy Transport Minister Dato Henry Harry Jinep.
'Normally, one parliamentary seat comprises not less than two state seats. If we want Sarawak to increase its parliamentary seats, then logically, we need to increase the existing state seats so that the number goes (up) proportionately… It's a simple logic,' he said in a statement.
Henry, who is also Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) deputy president and Tasik Biru assemblyman, was responding to critics of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025 which aims to increase the number of elected representatives in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) from 82 to 99.
This increase would result in the creation of 17 new state seats.
The Bill was tabled by Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at the DUN special one-day sitting today.
Once appoved by the DUN, the Bill will then be brought to Parliament for federal approval
After both legislative bodies have endorsed the Bill, the Election Commission (EC) will be responsible for conducting the redelineation exercise.
Sarawak has been seeking an increase to its current number of parliamentary seats, which stands at 31.
This is in line with the proposal to restore the 35 per cent representation of Sabah and Sarawak in Parliament, in honour of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). Henry Harry Jinep increase lead parliamentary seats state seats
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Borneo Post
Increasing assembly seats necessary for Sarawak's devt trajectory, says rep
See Chee How — Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (July 7): Increasing the number of State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats from 82 to 99 is a necessary step forward in line with Sarawak's development trajectory and institutional needs. Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How said the move reflects principles of good governance, and is consistent with Sarawak's ongoing efforts to strengthen legislative capacity in increasing its administrative, legislative and fiscal autonomy. 'The rationale behind the (Dewan Undangan Negeri [Composition of Membership]) Bill—particularly the increase in electorate numbers and the need for more effective representation—was well-argued. 'However, the reference to Sarawak's accelerated pace of development since 2014 understated the scale of the state's progress and financial achievements over the past decade,' he said when debating the Bill during a sitting at the DUN Complex today. He viewed the proposed increase of seats as timely, describing it as a 'vital institutional reform to support the demands of modern governance'. See said it would enhance the DUN's ability to respond to Sarawak's development needs, particularly in relation to devolution under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, and improve public accountability. He referenced international examples such as Singapore, which has 99 Members of Parliament serving a significantly smaller land area, to illustrate how Sarawak—with its vast geographical spread—requires adequate legislative representation. 'However, land size alone should not be the sole determining factor in setting legislative composition. 'However, a more representative assembly would allow for the strengthening of democratic processes, including the formation of parliamentary select committees to scrutinise government actions and policies,' he said, adding that these committees were essential for transparency, oversight and promoting accountability in public administration. 'Thus, I hope that in tandem with the increase in elected members, the assembly would soon consider legislation to expand the number of members appointed to the State Cabinet to better reflect the composition and workload of the legislature.'
Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Borneo Post
Sarawak DUN passes Bill to increase state seats from 82 to 99
Abdul Karim, who tabled the Bill, speaks during the debate session of the sitting. – Penerangan photo KUCHING (July 7): The Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025 has been passed during a special sitting of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) at the DUN Complex today, paving the way for an increase in the number of state constituencies from 82 to 99. Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who tabled the Bill, said the expansion is vital to reflect Sarawak's evolving demographic landscape, rapid urban development, and growing calls for equitable representation. 'The DUN must remain dynamic and responsive to the demographic shift and development, and to the growing demand for more equitable representation. 'This is not merely a matter of numbers. It is about ensuring that Sarawakians are well represented and well served. It is a constitutional exercise done in the spirit of justice,' he added in his winding up speech. The Bill, which will repeal the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Ordinance, 2014, received overwhelming support from the House, with 80 of the 82 elected representatives voting in favour. Once gazetted, the new composition will take effect on a date to be determined by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri and is expected to be implemented in the next state election. 'The Election Commission (EC) will subsequently undertake a redelineation exercise to define the 17 new constituencies,' he said. Abdul Karim also clarified that the delineation of electoral boundaries remains the sole responsibility of the EC, an independent body appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in consultation with the Conference of Rulers. He thus described allegations of gerrymandering by certain Opposition members as 'slanderous and demeaning' to the impartiality of the EC. 'The state government or this august House has no say whatsoever on where the delineation of the new 17 seats will be. The EC is the only body empowered to do so under Article 113 of the Federal Constitution,' he said. Opposition members from Pending and Padungan had raised concerns about the timing and financial implications of the seat increase, claiming it to be politically motivated. Abdul Karim dismissed these claims, asserting that the expansion aligns with federal and state constitutional provisions and is long overdue, given that the last redelineation was conducted a decade ago in 2015. He also drew a comparison with a recent move by the Welsh Parliament, which increased its constituencies from 60 to 96 which is a 60 per cent rise. In contrast, Sarawak's proposed increase of 20 per cent is both reasonable and necessary, he said. 'Sarawak is about six times the size of Wales, and our populations are comparable which is 2.9 million here versus 3.16 million in Wales. 'If they saw fit to increase their representation, there is no reason why Sarawak should not do the same,' he said. Speaking to reporters after the sitting, Abdul Karim expressed confidence that the move would eventually facilitate an increase in parliamentary seats for Sarawak; part of the state's long-standing demand for greater representation in the Dewan Rakyat, in line with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 'With this increase in state seats, if Parliament were to consider increasing the number of parliamentary constituencies later, it would be easier for the EC to align the federal and state delineation processes,' he said. Today's sitting saw 31 elected representatives participate in the debate, with the Bill's passage marking another chapter in Sarawak's constitutional evolution to strengthen representation. 'We are doing this to ensure Sarawak continues to move forward fairly, inclusively, and in accordance with the Constitution,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Sarawak govt tables bill to raise number of state seats to 99
Sarawak assembly speaker Asfia Awang Nassar said all three readings of the bill will be done on the same day. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Sarawak has tabled a bill to increase the number of elected representatives in its state assembly from 82 to 99. Tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who tabled the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, said the proposed increase was necessary to reflect Sarawak's demographic shifts and urban growth, as well as the rising demand for equitable representation. 'The state assembly must remain dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of our people,' he said during a special sitting today, reported The Borneo Post. On Saturday, Sarawak assembly speaker Asfia Awang Nassar said all three readings of the bill would be done on the same day.
