Latest news with #SharifahHasidahSayeedAmanGhazali
Borneo Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
New Bill to see increase in number of Sarawak state elected reps from 82 to 99
Abdul Karim shows the Bill with Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali. — Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (July 7): Sarawak will see an increase in the number of elected representatives in its State Legislative Assembly (DUN) from 82 to 99 under a new Bill tabled during a special sitting of the DUN today. Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who tabled the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025, said the proposed increase is timely and necessary to reflect Sarawak's demographic changes, urban expansion, and growing demand for equitable representation. 'The DUN must remain dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of our people. Over the years, we have witnessed significant demographic changes, urban extension, and increasing demand for fair representation,' he told the august House. MORE TO COME
Borneo Post
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sarawak now eligible for redelineation process, says deputy minister
Sharifah Hasidah says that the redelineation process is governed by Article 113(2) of the Federal Constitution, read together with the 13th Schedule, which considers factors such as the number of voters in a constituency and challenges faced by rural areas. – File photo KUCHING (July 4): The eight-year period required before a redelineation exercise can take place in Sarawak has elapsed, and the state is now eligible to initiate the process, said Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Law, State-Federal Relations and MA63) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali. She explained to The Borneo Post that the redelineation process is governed by Article 113(2) of the Federal Constitution, read together with the 13th Schedule, which considers factors such as the number of voters in a constituency and challenges faced by rural areas. 'Among the main parameters often emphasised by the Sarawak government in the redelineation proposal is to ensure that there is no imbalance between urban and rural areas and to ensure representation that reflects the vastness and composition of Sarawak's multi-racial society,' she said when contacted. While declining to comment on whether the matter would be raised at the special one-day Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting next Monday, Sharifah Hasidah cautioned against relying solely on population numbers when redrawing boundaries. She said if representation is based purely on population, remote areas with scattered populations would struggle to obtain fair and adequate representation. The Semariang assemblywoman stressed that future redelineation efforts must prioritise fair and equitable representation by considering Sarawak's unique racial, geographical, and demographic makeup. A lawyer-turned politician, who requested anonymity, however, pointed out that state governments do not have unilateral power to increase the number of seats. All they can do is make recommendations to the Election Commission (EC), which will determine the number of constituencies, he added. 'Yes, it has to go through Parliament as required under Article 113 to 117 and the 13th Schedule (Sections 8 to11) of the Federal Constitution,' he said. He pointed out that the Sarawak DUN may accept or reject EC proposals and submit its own representation, and the EC may consider these views, but is not obligated to adopt them. Final approval, he added, rests with Parliament. 'I would add that new seats will not be implemented without approval by Sarawak DUN, in accordance with Article 113 (4). That is why it (the matter) still needs to be debated in the DUN,' he insisted. 'Once approved by the DUN, final approval would follow by Parliament,' he said. Earlier this year on Feb 12, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman, said the EC had informed the state government of the possibility of a revision to Sarawak's electoral boundaries. He said GPS would hold discussions with component parties before submitting its redelineation proposal to the EC. Sarawak had its last redelineation exercise in 2015. It had 48 state constituencies before the first election in 1969, rising to 56 in 1985; 62 in 1995; 71 in 2005; and 82 in 2015 till now.
Borneo Post
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sharifah Hasidah renews call for one-third parliamentary representation
Sharifah Hasidah delivering her keynote address. KUCHING (June 27): Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Law, State-Federal Relations and MA63), Dato Sri Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, was in Kuala Lumpur to renew the call for the restoration of constitutional equality for Sabah and Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). The MA63 must be fully honoured in both spirit and practice, she said in her keynote address at a roundtable titled 'Rights, Equality and MA63: Restoring One-Third Parliamentary Representation for Sabah and Sarawak', held at the auditorium of Wisma Badan Peguam Malaysia on Wednesday. Sharifah Hasidah emphasised that the issue transcends politics, describing it as a constitutional responsibility rooted in the formation of Malaysia. 'This is not about special treatment. This is about restoring what was originally agreed upon when Malaysia was formed in 1963. When we are partners, we are equal.' She also recalled that the original structure of the Dewan Rakyat (Parliament) in 1963 ensured that Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore collectively held one-third of parliamentary seats – a deliberate safeguard to prevent unilateral constitutional amendments by Malaya that could undermine the Bornean states' rights. However, following Singapore's departure in 1965 and subsequent redistributions, Sabah and Sarawak now collectively hold only 25 per cent of seats. 'We believe that realising this will further strengthen the Federation – not weaken it – and uphold the original vision of Malaysia as an equal and inclusive union' she said. Sharifah Hasidah also provided updates on ongoing deliberations under the Majlis Tindakan Pelaksanaan MA63 (MA63 Implementation Action Council), including the formation of technical and working committees, and tripartite negotiations involving the Federal and State Attorneys-General. While acknowledging differing legal interpretations of key terms such as 'safeguards', she noted that the process remains constructive. 'This is about justice, mutual respect, and safeguarding the foundation on which Malaysia was built'. In his welcoming remarks, Abang Iwawan, an elected Council Member of the Malaysian Bar and Deputy Chair of its Human Rights Committee, also emphasised the human rights dimension of the issue. 'The erosion of this safeguard raises serious concerns, not only about the integrity of the original constitutional arrangement, but also from a human rights perspective.' 'As minority regions with significant Indigenous populations, Sabah and Sarawak were guaranteed one-third representation to ensure they would have a real voice in national decision-making,' he said. 'Weakening that protection risks entrenching systemic inequality and excluding communities that have long been underrepresented in the federal structure,' he stressed. The roundtable was jointly organised by the Malaysian Bar Council and the CSO Platform for Reform, and convened legal experts, policymakers, and civil society organisations to explore the legal, historical, and human rights dimensions of Sabah and Sarawak's place in the Federation. According to the organisers, the roundtable aimed not only to raise public awareness but also to stimulate meaningful dialogue toward restoring equal representation, structural reforms, and reaffirming Malaysia's federal character.
Borneo Post
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
DUN special sitting regarding redelineation of electoral boundaries?
Although no official agenda has been released, the timing of the July 7 special sitting comes amid ongoing discussions between the Sarawak and federal governments regarding electoral reforms. – Bernama photo KUCHING (June 21): The announcement of a special one-day sitting of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) has sparked speculation that it may be related to the long-anticipated redelineation of Sarawak's electoral boundaries. Although no official agenda has been released, the timing of the July 7 special sitting comes amid ongoing discussions between the Sarawak and federal governments regarding electoral reforms, including the redrawing of constituency boundaries and the potential increase in parliamentary and state seats. During the DUN's most recent sitting last month, the august House was told that discussions with Putrajaya on the matter were still ongoing. The state government has consistently championed the call to restore one-third parliamentary representation for Sarawak and Sabah, as outlined in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report of 1962. During a question-and-answer session on May 22, Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Law, State-Federal Relations and MA63) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali told the DUN that no final decision had been made over the implementation of the upcoming electoral boundary redelineation. She said this when responding to a question from Bawang Assan assemblyman Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh. To a question on the additional number of seats in Parliament and the DUN, Sharifah Hasidah said this was also still being discussed. 'Discussions on strengthening Sarawak's representation in the Dewan Rakyat remain active under the framework of the Malaysia Agreement 1963, and the Sarawak government will continue to champion this matter,' she said at the time. electoral boundaries redelineation Sarawak State Legislative Assembly
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Sarawak Assembly sitting adjourns sine die; six bills passed
KUCHING: The 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly sitting adjourned sine die today, after eight days of proceedings since May 19, during which six bills were passed with an overwhelming majority. The State Assembly Speaker, Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, announced the adjournment, after a motion to adjourn was tabled by Sarawak Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963, and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali. The Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill 2025, the first bill passed by the assembly, seeks to broaden the Centre's powers by enabling it to commercialise intellectual property, apply for external funding, and form subsidiary companies to bring research outputs to market. This was followed by the Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2025, which, among other provisions, establishes a formal mechanism for the registration of waqf, or religious endowment lands, in the Sarawak land registry. Other bills passed included the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund (Dissolution) Bill, the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Supplementary Supply (2024) Bill approving an additional allocation of RM153,769,197, and the Supplementary Supply (2025) Bill for RM237,660,520.
