KUCHING: The proposed increase in the number of Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats is expected to gain strong backing at both state and federal levels, said Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, expressed confidence that the bill will pass with ease due to GPS’ commanding majority in the assembly.
“With the kind of majority GPS has in the DUN, this tabling of the increase in number of seats will definitely go through. That is how I see it,” he said to reporters after the GPS pre-council meeting at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters today.
He explained that while the increase pertains only to state seats, the Parliament would also need to endorse the proposal after it is passed by the DUN.
“This is a state matter. Once DUN agrees, I do not see any reason why Parliament will not endorse it.
“After that, it will be up to the Election Commission (SPR) to decide on the new boundaries,” he said.
Karim noted that the significant rise in voter numbers following the implementation of Undi18 was among the reasons the increase was timely and necessary.
“There has been a major spike in voter numbers, especially after the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18.
“It has been 11 years since the last delineation. So the timing is appropriate,” he said.
He also highlighted Sarawak’s unique geographical challenges in ensuring fair and effective representation, especially in remote and rural regions.
“In urban areas like Tabuan Jaya or Batu Kawa, you can have 15,000 to 20,000 voters in one small area.
“But in places like Ulu Baram or Ulu Kapit, the same number of voters are scattered across vast distances. That must be taken into account,” he explained.
When asked if the endorsement process could be completed by August, Karim said that while the timeline remains uncertain, the move aligns with Sarawak’s broader efforts to reclaim its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“To increase the number of parliamentary seats in the future, there must first be an increase in state seats. So this move is part of that larger objective,” he added.
As for the location of new constituencies, Karim said those decisions fall under the jurisdiction of the SPR.
“My role is just to table the proposal and suggest the increase in number.
“As for deciding which areas the new seats will cover, that is for SPR to determine,” he said.
He also cited fast-growing areas such as Desa Ilmu in Samarahan, Senadin and Tupong as examples of constituencies that may require review due to population growth and urban development.
The proposal to increase the number of DUN seats is expected to be tabled during a special sitting this month.
Karim, who is also Asajaya assemblyman, expressed confidence that the bill will pass with ease due to GPS’ commanding majority in the assembly.
“With the kind of majority GPS has in the DUN, this tabling of the increase in number of seats will definitely go through. That is how I see it,” he said to reporters after the GPS pre-council meeting at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters today.
He explained that while the increase pertains only to state seats, the Parliament would also need to endorse the proposal after it is passed by the DUN.
“This is a state matter. Once DUN agrees, I do not see any reason why Parliament will not endorse it.
“After that, it will be up to the Election Commission (SPR) to decide on the new boundaries,” he said.
Karim noted that the significant rise in voter numbers following the implementation of Undi18 was among the reasons the increase was timely and necessary.
“There has been a major spike in voter numbers, especially after the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18.
“It has been 11 years since the last delineation. So the timing is appropriate,” he said.
He also highlighted Sarawak’s unique geographical challenges in ensuring fair and effective representation, especially in remote and rural regions.
“In urban areas like Tabuan Jaya or Batu Kawa, you can have 15,000 to 20,000 voters in one small area.
“But in places like Ulu Baram or Ulu Kapit, the same number of voters are scattered across vast distances. That must be taken into account,” he explained.
When asked if the endorsement process could be completed by August, Karim said that while the timeline remains uncertain, the move aligns with Sarawak’s broader efforts to reclaim its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“To increase the number of parliamentary seats in the future, there must first be an increase in state seats. So this move is part of that larger objective,” he added.
As for the location of new constituencies, Karim said those decisions fall under the jurisdiction of the SPR.
“My role is just to table the proposal and suggest the increase in number.
“As for deciding which areas the new seats will cover, that is for SPR to determine,” he said.
He also cited fast-growing areas such as Desa Ilmu in Samarahan, Senadin and Tupong as examples of constituencies that may require review due to population growth and urban development.
The proposal to increase the number of DUN seats is expected to be tabled during a special sitting this month.