Kuching: A Bill to increase the number of members in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly will be tabled during a special sitting on July 7, in response to a sharp rise in voter numbers and changing public expectations.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar stated that the surge in voters followed the lowering of the voting age to 18, which has significantly reshaped the state’s political and constituency landscape since 2014. This change has heightened public expectations and created a new political landscape for leaders and elected representatives. Managing the vast parliamentary and state constituencies in Sarawak has become increasingly challenging.

The proposed legislation, titled Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, will be tabled by Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. Mohamad Asfia mentioned that all three readings of the Bill are scheduled to take place on the same day.

He also noted that the last increase in the assembly’s composition was in 2014. Under Article 113(2) of the Federal Constitution, such changes can be made after a period of eight years. The Sarawak Legislative Assembly currently comprises 82 members.