KUCHING: Sarawak is set to expand its State Cabinet, with several new ministerial posts expected to be created as the government prepares to meet increasing administrative demands and achieve its 2030 development goals.
The Constitution of the State of Sarawak Amendment Bill 2025, to be tabled during the upcoming 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting by Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, will pave the way for the expansion.
DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said the move follows the last sitting’s amendment that increased the number of state assembly seats from 82 to 99.
“With the composition of the DUN increased from 82 to 99, it is high time to increase the number of Cabinet members.
“The ever-expanding, stupendous task and responsibilities of the Cabinet inescapably require an increase in the number of Ministers. Some Ministers have two portfolios. Some Ministers have three portfolios.
“And their winding up is very lengthy. Therefore, you need to increase the number of Ministers and split the portfolio,” he said during a press conference at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters, here today (Nov 22).
Asfia clarified that no new ministries will be created, nor will the deputy minister posts be affected.
“The ministries remain. Their names remain. Their functions remain. But we want to increase the number of members of the Cabinet, so that if possible, one minister has one portfolio, or at most two — not three.”
Asfia declined to reveal how many Cabinet posts will be added.
“How many Cabinet members will be increased? I leave it to the Minister to announce it on that date.
“The details, we leave to the Premier. I will not disclose the number of ministers at this juncture,” he added.
He acknowledged that some may object to enlarging the Cabinet but argued that political reality must take precedence.
“There may be some views expressed against the increase in the number of Cabinet Ministers. But legal theories must yield to political reality. The political reality is Sarawak needs a bigger Cabinet.
“So, there is a rising expectation from the people. The target date of 2030, Sarawak to be the premier region in Malaysia. Sarawak to be the main player in the powerhouse of energy and so forth in ASEAN.
“So, all this adds to the necessity to increase and expand the State Cabinet. Our destination is to make Sarawak a premier region, a player in ASEAN, if not internationally. That is our destination,” he said.
DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said the move follows the last sitting’s amendment that increased the number of state assembly seats from 82 to 99.
“With the composition of the DUN increased from 82 to 99, it is high time to increase the number of Cabinet members.
“The ever-expanding, stupendous task and responsibilities of the Cabinet inescapably require an increase in the number of Ministers. Some Ministers have two portfolios. Some Ministers have three portfolios.
“And their winding up is very lengthy. Therefore, you need to increase the number of Ministers and split the portfolio,” he said during a press conference at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters, here today (Nov 22).
Asfia clarified that no new ministries will be created, nor will the deputy minister posts be affected.
“The ministries remain. Their names remain. Their functions remain. But we want to increase the number of members of the Cabinet, so that if possible, one minister has one portfolio, or at most two — not three.”
Asfia declined to reveal how many Cabinet posts will be added.
“How many Cabinet members will be increased? I leave it to the Minister to announce it on that date.
“The details, we leave to the Premier. I will not disclose the number of ministers at this juncture,” he added.
He acknowledged that some may object to enlarging the Cabinet but argued that political reality must take precedence.
“There may be some views expressed against the increase in the number of Cabinet Ministers. But legal theories must yield to political reality. The political reality is Sarawak needs a bigger Cabinet.
“So, there is a rising expectation from the people. The target date of 2030, Sarawak to be the premier region in Malaysia. Sarawak to be the main player in the powerhouse of energy and so forth in ASEAN.
“So, all this adds to the necessity to increase and expand the State Cabinet. Our destination is to make Sarawak a premier region, a player in ASEAN, if not internationally. That is our destination,” he said.