Latest news with #ChristopherGiraSambang
Borneo Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Proposal to increase of elected reps in Sarawak timely, says academician
Dr Jayum Jawan KUCHING (July 8): The increase in the number of elected people's representatives in Sarawak is timely based on the need to review representation in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), says an academician. This is usually facilitated by the need to study constituency size and population increase, says Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Jawan, a fellow of Academy of Sciences Malaysia cum adjunct professor of the Institute of Borneo Studies of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas). 'Sarawak has been grossly misrepresented. We have a rural constituency that is as huge as the state of Pahang and yet, it is represented by a single member Parliament. 'Suggestions from Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang might be a little too late. 'He was reported to have suggested that at least eight state seats and one parliamentary seat should come from the Tamin-Selanggau area. 'This could be political rhetoric because if he really felt so, he should have moved the suggestion through his party, PRS (Parti Rakyat Sarawak), and have that brought to the attention of the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak, the state's ruling coalition),' he said in a statement yesterday. Jayum also acknowledged the questioning by members of the Opposition over the motive of increasing the number of DUN Sarawak seats by 15. 'The drawing of the constituencies is claimed (by the Opposition) to be 'unfair', 'unnecessary' and 'politically motivated'. 'The vote disparities between constituencies in Sarawak were compared to those in Australia in arguing this point. 'But that same argument is weak because certain constituencies in Rajang River Basin are huge and yet, each has only one representative. 'Some urban areas such as Kuching and Sibu have several seats, both state and Parliament.' On Monday, DUN Sarawak passed the Composition of Membership Bill 2025 on a special one-day sitting to approve the size increase of the DUN by 17 seats, from the present 82 to 99. The last redelineation exercise in Sarawak was held by the Election Commission (EC) in 2015, after the DUN approved the size increase by 11 seats to 82 in 2014.
Borneo Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Tamin rep: PRS proposes 8 new state seats, 1 federal seat for Sarawak redelineation
Gira debating the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025 at the special DUN sitting today, – Penerangan photo KUCHING (July 7): Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) has submitted several proposals to the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) redelineation committee for the creation of new state seats, in line with the proposed increase in the number of elected representatives in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly from 82 to 99. Christopher Gira Sambang (GPS-Tamin) in his debate speech to support the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025 at the special DUN sitting here today, revealed that the party has proposed for eight new state seats. 'The proposed DUN seats are Bukit Kelankang, which is carved from Bukit Begunan and Simanggang; Mapai/Sibu Jaya (carved from Ngemah and Dudong); Bukit Arip (carved from Tamin and Kakus); Tubau (carved from Murum and Kakus); Pengejau (carved from Bekenu and Marudi); Medamit (carved from Batu Danau); Anau (carved from Jepak and Kakus); and Sungai Plan (carved from Samalaju),' said the PRS Supreme Council member. He said PRS has also proposed for a new parliamentary seat namely Bukit Buan, to be carved out of the current Kakus and Tamin state constituencies, both of which fall under the Selangau parliamentary constituency. 'These proposals are based on careful consideration of voter distribution, geographical remoteness, and the pressing need for improved representation and development planning,' he said. Gira pointed out that since the last redelineation in 2014, Sarawak has experienced significant population growth, especially in the rural areas. 'The state has also experienced accelerated infrastructure and economic development under the leadership of our Premier and the GPS Government and the resulting strain on service delivery across vast and often remote constituencies,' he added. Citing his constituency of Tamin as an example, Gira said the constituency spans over 3,472 square kilometres and serves more than 23,000 voters, many of whom live in rugged and hard-to-reach areas. 'Likewise, the Selangau parliamentary constituency now covers over 9,193 square kilometres and encompasses more than 45,700 voters, making effective representation and delivery of services increasingly challenging.' He said the increase in elected representatives will translate to more equitable voice for all communities, better outreach and service delivery, especially in rural Sarawak, and stronger democratic accountability and local empowerment. 'This initiative directly supports the objectives of Sarawak's Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), ensuring inclusive and sustainable development,' he said. He also said that the proposed increase of seats was not just an administrative move, but a long-awaited move aligned with the principles of equitable development, effective governance, and the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). 'The addition of 17 state seats represents a critical recalibration of our democratic structure. I sincerely hope that a corresponding increase in parliamentary seats for Sarawak will soon be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat. 'As a founding partner in the Federation of Malaysia, Sarawak deserves fair and proportionate representation – not just in this House, but also in Parliament. This is not merely about numbers; it is about constitutional justice and regional balance,' said Gira.
The Star
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Resolve land issues amicably, says minister
Awang Tengah (third from right) witnesses Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang (second from right) presenting a certificate to a land owner. SARAWAK has surveyed a total of 1.19 million hectares of native customary right (NCR) land as of Feb 27 this year. Deputy Premier Datuk Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said 935,000ha had been gazetted as Bumiputera Communal Reserves under Section 6 of the State Land Code (SLC). 'Additionally, 98,340 individual lots, covering 117,051ha, have been surveyed under Section 18, with land titles issued for 32,185 lots, spanning 45,000ha,' added Awang Tengah. He said this at the presentation of 157 land titles to 133 recipients from the Igu/Tamin area in Selangau and Pasai Siong. A total of RM6.79mil in compensation was to be distributed to 365 landowners whose lands were acquired for various development projects. These included the Baleh-Mapai 500KV transmission line, road construction works in Sungai Lengan and the upgrading of the Salim Water Treatment Plant. Awang Tengah, who is also the Sarawak Natural Resources and Urban Development Minister, urged NCR landowners involved in disputes to resolve their issues amicably. He said the Sarawak Land and Survey Department is unable to proceed with survey works on NCR lands that are under dispute or involved in court proceedings. 'Settle the matters amicably and with wisdom. Only then can applicants submit a fresh application to rejoin the NCR Land Survey Programme. 'If even a single claimant disagrees, the survey will not proceed,' he said. Awang Tengah also reminded landowners that claims must be accompanied with valid legal evidence and correspond with existing government records.
