Sarawak to increase state seats from 82 to 99
State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the proposed increase was necessary given Sarawak's growing population and number of voters, especially after the voting age was lowered to 18 years.
"This justifies the... creation of new constituencies to ensure that representation... remains fair and reflects the situation on the ground," he said when tabling the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025 at a special one-day sitting on Monday (July 7).
Karim also said the proposal addressed Sarawak's vast geographical size and the extensive areas that rural assemblymen have to cover.
He said it would enhance government accessibility, ensure that the needs of the people were addressed more efficiently and effectively, and improve service delivery.
In addition, he said, the proposed increase was in line with Article 113(2)(ii) of the Federal Constitution, which allows a review of electoral boundaries after an interval of not less than eight years.
The last redelineation exercise in Sarawak in 2015 saw 11 new state constituencies created.
This followed the passing of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill in November 2014, increasing its members from 71 to 82.
Once the 2025 Bill is passed, Karim said it would come into force on a date to be appointed by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, and the previous Composition of Membership Ordinance would be repealed.
He said the new Ordinance would be implemented in time for the next state election in Sarawak, which must be held by April 2027.
"I believe this Bill is both timely and essential. With our population steadily growing, new townships emerging and the needs of our communities evolving, this change ensures that the state legislative assembly remains responsive, relevant and ready to serve every corner of our state with greater efficiency and inclusivity," he added.
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
Henry: Increasing state seats a logical step toward more parliamentary representation
Dato Henry Harry Jinep 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
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Increase in state seats vital to improve service delivery, say S'wak backbenchers
KUCHING: Sarawak's vast size and growing population require an increase in the number of elected representatives for improved service delivery, say Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) backbenchers. Anyi Jana (GPS-Ngemah) said the Kanowit district, where his constituency is located, is larger than Melaka or Penang but represented by only two assemblymen and one Member of Parliament. "Both Ngemah and Machan, which are in the Kanowit parliamentary constituency, cover a total area of 2,253sq km, compared to Melaka (1,658sq km) and Penang (1,033sq km). "Yet Melaka is represented by 28 state assemblymen and six MPs while Penang has 40 state assemblymen and 13 MPs," he said. As such, Anyi said, it was timely to increase the number of assemblymen in Sarawak to represent the people's growing voices. "This will also ensure better administration and oversight in each state constituency," he said when debating in support of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025 on Monday (July 7). ALSO READ: Sarawak to increase state seats from 82 to 99 The Bill, tabled by state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah at a special one-day sitting of the legislative assembly, seeks to increase the number of assemblymen by 17 from the current 82 to 99. Wilson Nyabong (GPS-Pelagus) said many rural constituencies in Sarawak were vast and logistically challenging. "One assemblyman may have to traverse rivers, hills and forests to reach multiple longhouses, villages and subdistricts, all within a single constituency. "With the increase in population and complexity of local governance, it is only fair that we create more seats to ensure every Sarawakian, especially in remote and rural areas, is adequately represented," he said. Yakub Arbi (GPS-Balingian) said Sarawak's population was growing steadily, with approximately 40,000 students finishing Form Five every year and set to become voters when they turn 18 the following year. "Without timely redelineation, these newly eligible voters will further congest constituencies that are already overburdened. "The proposed increase in seats will help distribute representation more evenly," he said. Opposition leader Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan), however, opposed the Bill, saying that the ratio of assemblymen to Sarawak's population and land mass did not justify the increase in seats when compared to other Commonwealth countries. With a population of 2.8 million as of last year and a land area of 124,450 sq km, he said, the proposed increase would mean a ratio of one assemblyman serving 28,000 people and an area of 1,517sq km. In comparison, he said the ratio in several Australian states ranged from one assemblyman serving between 38,000 and 90,000 people, while in three Canadian provinces the ratio was one assemblyman serving between 72,000 and 129,000 people. "These are the statistics of other Commonwealth countries. I believe our assemblymen are on par with, if not better than, theirs. "Why is there a need to increase the number of members?" Chong said, adding that the proposed increase would also involve financial costs in salaries and allowances.
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Chong: No justification for DUN seat hike, push for more parliamentary seats instead
Chong (centre) stresses his point during the press conference while flanked by Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong and DAP Socialist Youth Sarawak secretary George Lam. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (July 7): Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan) does not see the need for Sarawak to increase its seats from 82 to 99 as the current population-to-state elected representatives (ADUNs) ratio remains relatively small compared to other Commonwealth nations. He said there was no compelling reason to increase the number of ADUNs, especially when then existing representatives already serve fewer constituents than their counterparts in both developed and developing Commonwealth countries. 'In these countries, each state assemblymen or assemblywomen serve a lot more than our current ADUN member-to-population ration which is 1:34,000 persons, and I think the land masses is a lot bigger. 'So, there's no reason why we are already serving under par with other ADUNs of the Commonwealth countries that we still need to increase the number of the state legislative,' he told a press conference at the State Legislative Assembly Complex here. He said this after debating the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025 at the special sitting of the DUN today. Chong acknowledged that rural constituencies present logistical challenges but stressed that urban constituencies also have their own complexities due to higher population density and the diversity of issues. 'The more people an elected representative has to serve, the more the demands that they have to address and tackle their problem.' He proposed the introduction of a weighted index system that factors in both geographical size and population to ensure a fairer allocation of seats. 'If your area is very big, maybe you get one plus point or if your population is large, you get another. 'This index must be drafted and must be applied to the allocation of seats and the number of seats delineation, so that it has at least a fairer delineation of rural and urban seats,' he said. He also questioned the argument made by some elected representatives that they could not adequately serve their constituencies due to workload. 'If you feel it's too difficult to serve, then step aside and let others who can serve take over,' he said. On the claim that a spike in voter numbers justifies more state seats, Chong dismissed the notion as flawed, saying the role of elected representatives is to serve all constituents and not just the voters. 'There has been no sharp increase in Sarawak's population so it's not a justified reason. 'We have always been serving people of all ages even before they are eligible to vote.' The DAP Sarawak chairman also criticised the financial cost of adding 17 more ADUNs, noting that the estimated RM20 million in salaries alone for one term could be better used to benefit the people. 'This does not include their service centres, perks, and lifelong pensions. 'The government should use that money for the people instead of expanding the legislature unnecessarily,' he said. He also questioned the necessity of having 32 political secretaries to the Premier — one for each parliamentary seat in Sarawak. 'If you think that these ADUNs are insufficient, then why not reduce the number of political secretaries first? 'They too receive salaries, perks, drivers, and pensions,' he said, adding that having one or two political secretaries to the Premier should suffice. Chong stressed that what Sarawakians truly want is greater representation in the Parliament and not in the State Legislative Assembly. 'I call upon the Sarawak government to move a motion in Parliament through the deputy prime minister or minister to increase the number of Sarawak parliamentary seats. 'I will pledge my full support for that motion along with the other Sarawakian DAP MPs,' he said. Chong Chieng Jen increase lead seats State Legislative Assemb;y
