14-07-2025
Academician: Proposal of adding more DUN Sarawak seats ‘a strategic necessity'
Dr Mohamad Maulana Magiman
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
