Kuching, 8 Julai ：THE establishment of a new Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) seat in Baram is crucial to accommodate the vast geographical area, infrastructure needs, and diverse communities in the region.
Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau said Baram is one of the largest parliamentary constituencies in Malaysia, covering an area of 22,075 square kilometres — larger than the combined size of several states in Peninsular Malaysia such as Perlis and Melaka.
He said this vast area is currently represented by only three state constituencies — Marudi, Telang Usan, and Mulu — making it extremely challenging for any assemblyman to deliver effective services to the people.
“Most villages and settlements in Baram are only accessible via logging roads, rivers, or small aircraft. People living in the interior often have to travel for hours — sometimes up to 14 hours — using four-wheel drive vehicles on logging roads just to reach administrative centers or basic amenities.
“This situation clearly shows that the scope of work and responsibilities carried out by the three current assemblymen are insufficient to cover the geographical expanse, infrastructure needs, and community diversity of Baram.
“Therefore, the establishment of a new DUN seat in Baram is urgently needed to ensure that the voices of people in remote areas are better heard, development efforts can be more precisely coordinated, and government services can be delivered more effectively and directly to rural communities,” he said when debating in support of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, during the special DUN sitting here on Monday (July 7).
Dennis said a significant impact of this change would be the reduction in the size of existing constituencies in Baram, which would allow for increased allocation of infrastructure and amenity development funds such as the Special Rural Project (MRP) fund, which is distributed based on individual DUNs to specifically benefit the Baram area.
He added that the proposal to create an additional state constituency in Baram is a timely and strategic move.
“This initiative not only addresses challenges related to geographic vastness, rising voter numbers, and basic development constraints, but also contributes to more efficient governance and improved transparency in service delivery by elected representatives.
“The addition of this DUN seat is also aligned with Sarawak’s aspiration to strengthen state autonomy and empower a more responsive and inclusive local governance system that meets the needs of its people.”
Telang Usan assemblyman Datuk Dennis Ngau said Baram is one of the largest parliamentary constituencies in Malaysia, covering an area of 22,075 square kilometres — larger than the combined size of several states in Peninsular Malaysia such as Perlis and Melaka.
He said this vast area is currently represented by only three state constituencies — Marudi, Telang Usan, and Mulu — making it extremely challenging for any assemblyman to deliver effective services to the people.
“Most villages and settlements in Baram are only accessible via logging roads, rivers, or small aircraft. People living in the interior often have to travel for hours — sometimes up to 14 hours — using four-wheel drive vehicles on logging roads just to reach administrative centers or basic amenities.
“This situation clearly shows that the scope of work and responsibilities carried out by the three current assemblymen are insufficient to cover the geographical expanse, infrastructure needs, and community diversity of Baram.
“Therefore, the establishment of a new DUN seat in Baram is urgently needed to ensure that the voices of people in remote areas are better heard, development efforts can be more precisely coordinated, and government services can be delivered more effectively and directly to rural communities,” he said when debating in support of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, during the special DUN sitting here on Monday (July 7).
Dennis said a significant impact of this change would be the reduction in the size of existing constituencies in Baram, which would allow for increased allocation of infrastructure and amenity development funds such as the Special Rural Project (MRP) fund, which is distributed based on individual DUNs to specifically benefit the Baram area.
He added that the proposal to create an additional state constituency in Baram is a timely and strategic move.
“This initiative not only addresses challenges related to geographic vastness, rising voter numbers, and basic development constraints, but also contributes to more efficient governance and improved transparency in service delivery by elected representatives.
“The addition of this DUN seat is also aligned with Sarawak’s aspiration to strengthen state autonomy and empower a more responsive and inclusive local governance system that meets the needs of its people.”