Latest news with #CompositionofMembership
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Senator Abun Sui calls for new state seat between Telang Usan and Belaga
Senator Abun Sui Anyit KUCHING (July 13): Senator Abun Sui Anyit hopes one of the 17 new state seats for Sarawak will be located between Telang Usan and Belaga districts. The PKR Hulu Rajang division head said this area – home to Orang Ulu communities like the Kenyah, Kayan, Penan, Punan, and Sekapan – is vast and among the most remote and logistically challenging in Sarawak. He explained these groups reside deep in mountainous terrain, far from administrative hubs, and are in dire need of stronger political representation to ensure their voices are heard in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) and in broader government decision-making. 'If geographical factor is indeed the basis to increase state seats in Sarawak, then it is imperative that one of the new seats is established in Belaga and Telang Usan. 'Belaga district alone covers over 19,400 square kilometres (km) – larger than the combined states of Perlis (821 square km) and Melaka (1,664 square km). 'Yet, this vast district has only one DUN (state) seat (Belaga) and a small portion is in the Murum seat, which makes it extremely difficult for elected representatives to effectively serve the widely scattered rural communities there,' he said in a statement today. He was responding to news reports quoting Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof as saying the increase of state seats from 82 to 99 in Sarawak was in line with the state's geography. On July 7, the State Legislative Assembly passed the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025 to add 17 new seats. According to Abun Sui, the Election Commission (EC) and the Sarawak government must ensure that this increase in seats is not merely symbolic or political, but truly guarantees inclusivity and justice for all ethnicities and regions, including rural areas which have been underrepresented. 'The people of Belaga district who have sacrificed a lot for the two mega hydroelectric projects — Bakun Dam and Murum Dam — have long hoped for Belaga to be upgraded to the 13th division of Sarawak. The addition of state seats should be seen as an opportunity to start taking steps towards realising this aspiration,' he added. Abun Sui Anyit belaga lead new seats state legislative assembly Telang Usan
The Star
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Sarawak to increase state seats from 82 to 99
KUCHING: Sarawak is proposing an increase of 17 elected representatives to the state legislative assembly, bringing the total 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.
