Assemblymen support more seats for fairer representation
KUCHING (July 7): Increasing the number of seats in the State Legislative Assembly is essential to strengthening rural representation and keeping pace with the state's growing electorate, said Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon.
Debating the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025, Chukpai said the proposed increase from 82 to 99 elected members would help correct long-standing imbalances between urban and rural constituencies.
'Historically, rural communities have struggled to have their voices heard. By expanding the assembly, we can close that gap and enable more equitable development across the state,' he said.
Chukpai pointed out that many rural areas remain vast, isolated, and underrepresented despite being rich in natural resources and cultural heritage.
He said expanding the assembly would provide a clearer platform for local issues to reach the legislative floor.
'More representatives mean better access for remote communities to the policy-making process. This leads to more grounded, community-focused development—something we've long needed in interior areas,' he added.
Chukpai also highlighted how national policy reforms, such as lowering the voting age to 18 and implementing automatic voter registration, have significantly expanded and rejuvenated Sarawak's electorate.
'This growing voter base necessitates a corresponding increase in elected representatives to truly reflect the people's will,' he said.
He added that the new composition would help strike a healthier balance in representation, avoiding a concentration of influence in urban centres and ensuring resources are distributed more equitably.
'This is not just about numbers; it's about ensuring every Sarawakian, regardless of geography or age, is fairly represented. That's the spirit of democracy,' he said.
Echoing similar views, Bukit Assek assemblyman Chieng Jin Ek described the Bill as 'timely and necessary,' adding that the legislature must evolve in tandem with the state's fast-changing population landscape.
'This Bill answers a basic democratic principle: representation must grow alongside the population,' he said.
Chieng noted that Sarawak's voter base had surged by nearly 60 per cent following the implementation of Undi18 and automatic voter registration from 1.25 million in 2021 to over two million as of January this year.
'With such a massive increase in voters, maintaining the current 82-seat configuration will dilute the effectiveness of representation, especially in rapidly urbanising or vast rural constituencies,' he said.
He also pointed out that many assemblymen are now overstretched due to constituency size and growing demands.
'When one ADUN has to cover tens of thousands of voters across scattered areas, it becomes harder to engage meaningfully with every community,' he said, adding that the proposed increase would help ensure more efficient and people-centric service delivery.
Chieng said the move to expand the assembly also reflects the realities of development in Sarawak, where growth is no longer confined to urban centres.
'Development without representation risks being uneven and unsustainable,' he said.
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