Academician: Proposal of adding more DUN Sarawak seats ‘a strategic necessity'
BINTULU (July 15): As the largest state in Malaysia, Sarawak faces significant challenges in governance and political representation, which directly affect administrative efficiency and the well-being of its diverse communities.
In pointing this out, Dr Mohamad Maulana Magiman said the sheer size of some constituencies had forced the elected people's representatives to inefficiently divide their time for and attention to the constituents.
'This (vast constituencies) limits their capacity to engage meaningfully with their constituents, often leaving them with little time to fully understand and address the needs and issues of their electorate in a comprehensive and holistic manner.
'Moreover, the relatively short term of office adds pressure on the elected representatives, especially when serving expansive and hard-to-reach constituencies.
'The challenge he said is further compounded when these constituencies include suburban, rural, or rapidly developing areas where rising population density leads to the expansion of new settlements.
'This situation often results in constrained outreach by the representatives, causing some segments of society to feel neglected and dissatisfied,' said the associate professor from the Department of Social Sciences and Management at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Sarawak, in a statement.
In view of these issues, he said the proposal to increase the number of Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats could be seen as a forward-looking strategy to overcome such limitations.
He added that by carving out more constituencies, each representative would be responsible for a smaller area, allowing for a more focused and effective attention to local issues.
'This would align with the need to restructure state administration in a more detailed and efficient manner; thereby, enhancing the effectiveness of development efforts toward achieving high-income state status.'
Furthermore, Mohamad Maulana said this initiative held the potential of strengthening the local democratic system by fostering greater community involvement in decision-making processes.
He said voters would experience a closer and more active presence from their elected representatives, promoting constructive two-way communication.
'This, in turn, would bolster public trust and the legitimacy of democratic institutions, while improving the overall quality of public services.'
Mohamad Maulana said overall, he viewed the proposal of adding more state constituencies in Sarawak as 'a strategic necessity'.
'It is not merely a remedial measure to address geographical constraints, but also a proactive effort to enhance political representation, accelerate development, and promote social well-being.
'Such plan reaffirms the government's commitment to fair, inclusive and competitive governance for the benefit of all Sarawakians, regardless of ethnicity, culture, or location.
'It also reflects a long-term vision to build a progressive, stable, and highly civilised state,' said the academician. diverse communities Dr Mohamad Maulana Magiman lead representation
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
7 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Sikie: Use safety-conscious, uniform approach for longhouse construction
Sikie joins residents in a traditional ritual during the Mangkung Tiang ceremony at Rumah Rawing Manja, Ulu Mejau. – Ukas photo TATAU (July 28): The construction of longhouses, which are a symbol of unity and resilience among rural communities, must use a more uniform and safety-conscious approach, said Dato Sri John Sikie Tayai. The Minister in the Premier's Department said this when officiating at the Mangkung Tiang (foundation pole) ceremony for Rumah Rawing Manja in Ulu Mejau on Saturday. 'Uniformity in the ruai enhances the aesthetic appeal of longhouses while symbolising unity and cooperation among residents,' he said. He stressed the critical need for fire prevention and electrical safety, urging longhouse folk to install brick partition walls extending to the roof and to ensure all electrical wiring complies with Sarawak Energy Berhad standards. The Kakus assemblyman urged village security and development committees (JKKKs) and their security bureaus to take a more proactive role in addressing social issues, particularly drug abuse, which remains a concern in some rural areas. Sikie also outlined key development projects under the Mid Rajang Regional Development Agency (MiRRDA), reinforcing the government's commitment to transforming rural infrastructure. These include RM60 million to upgrade the road from Nanga Kelebu to Rumah Ado, Kakus; RM10 million for road upgrades to Ulu Mejau; and RM10 million for the road to Entajum. 'These projects are not just about connectivity, they are investments in the future of rural Sarawakians,' he said. Reaffirming Sarawak's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS 2030), he said the state is on track to achieve an RM15,000 household income target by 2030. Among the flagship initiatives is the Free Tertiary Education Scheme at state-owned institutions, aimed at equipping Sarawakians for better-paying jobs. As part of his visit, Sikie also presented an RM18,000 Minor Rural Project (MRP) grant to the Rumah Rawing JKKK for local development efforts. The ceremony was attended by some 500 residents. John Sikie Tayai lead longhouse construction
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Urging Anwar to step down not beneficial to political stability
DARO: Demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is futile and does not contribute to the nation's political stability, said Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. Karim said the nation should allow the prime minister to govern and carry out the duties he was elected to perform, Sarawak television network TVS reported. "When it comes to elections, all sorts of things happen. "If he has been appointed and elected, give him the opportunity to finish his term of service. "You cannot demand the resignation of someone over small mistakes. That cannot be done," he was reported as saying during his speech officiating the 2025 Daro Festival today. Nonetheless, he assured that the rally which took place in Kuala Lumpur yesterday did not threaten Sarawak's stability and thanked Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg for ensuring the state's development remained on track. "He has managed to increase the state's revenue from RM6 billion to RM14 billion, with an annual budget of RM15.8 billion, the highest compared to several other states in Malaysia. "We are going one step further as we prepare to launch our own airline and provide free higher education funding for Sarawakians. "In fact, a special Sovereign Fund of RM8 billion has been set aside to secure the future of generations to come," he said.
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Don't let others decide: Masidi
Published on: Sunday, July 27, 2025 Published on: Sun, Jul 27, 2025 By: Jonathan Nicholas Text Size: Masidi (centre) with Gagasan Rakyat Youth and Women members at the assembly. Kota Kinabalu: Sabahans must be like Sarawakians and learn to think independently as well as stop relying on external influence if they want to progress. Gagasan Rakyat Deputy Chairman Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun told delegates attending the party's AGM at SICC, Saturday, that Sabahans must embrace not just physical freedom but mental independence as true sovereignty lies in the mindset, not just in votes. 'We're not just talking about land, borders, or who governs. Mental independence is even more important. We need to think for ourselves, based on our own Sabah identity. Not follow what outsiders tell us what is right. 'Sabah must no longer wait for outsiders to guide or dictate our future. We have to love this land enough to shape it ourselves with our own values, our own rhythm, our own voice,' he said. Quoting the Sabah anthem 'Sabah Tanah Airku, merdeka sepanjang masa', Masidi said the lyrics still hold meaning today and represent the vision of past Sabah leaders, a vision that must be revived and defended. 'Sabahans often compare the state with Sarawak, admiring its political stability, development pace and unity. But for Sabah to reach that level the people must first shift their mentality and attitudes. 'If we want to be like Sarawak, then we must think and act like Sarawakians. 'Prioritise political stability. Prioritise continuity. In Sabah, our biggest issue is frequent government changes,' he said. Masidi pointed out that while Sarawak is only on its sixth Premier, Sabah has already had 16 Chief Ministers which is evidence of how unstable the political climate has been over the decades. He supported proposals to limit the Chief Minister's term to two terms, a reform already implemented at the federal level, saying it would allow for leadership renewal and prevent over-concentration of power. The idea has been informally agreed to by the state Cabinet, but requires further legislative support. 'The Cabinet agrees in principle. But whether we have the two-thirds majority in the State Assembly to pass it, that's another matter. Still, we believe it's the right direction. 'Such frequent changes make it difficult to focus on long-term plans, solve core infrastructure issues, or implement consistent development. 'Every time we change governments, it takes time to start over. So how can we truly move forward when we're always going back to square one?' he said. He said Sabah has enough resources, talent, and potential but what's lacking is the willingness to work together without ego. He noted that political players in the state are too often focused on winning for themselves, instead of for the people. 'This is the problem. Everyone wants to win, but not everyone wants to get their hands dirty. If politics here remains a game of who must win and who must lose, we will never be united and Sabah will always be stuck in the same cycle.' Masidi described this mindset as toxic and said it is time for Sabah's political culture to mature, move away from narrow personal interests and focus on collective state building. Responding to questions about whether party components are ready to unite ahead of the coming state election, he said now is the time to stop petty quarrels and start thinking like a team. 'Politics shouldn't be about who's more powerful, it should be about who's more willing to work,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
