Kuching: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has endorsed the decision to expand the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly to 99 seats, citing the state’s geographical needs as a driving factor. Sarawak’s land area, nearly equivalent to that of Peninsular Malaysia, necessitates this increase to ensure effective administration and representation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fadillah, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Petra Jaya, emphasized that the decision stemmed from thorough research and discussions at the state level. The deliberation considered factors such as ethnic diversity and administrative requirements, rather than solely focusing on population size. He noted the importance of representing various ethnic groups and addressing the large geographical area of Sarawak.

Fadillah highlighted that the additional seats will enable more rural areas to have elected representatives, ensuring that local voices are heard in the state policy-making process. When asked if this move aligns with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), he clarified that the primary concern is enhancing administrative efficiency in Sarawak.

On July 7, the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly approved the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, adding 17 new seats to the previous total of 82.

In a related development, Fadillah discussed a pilot project for an artificial intelligence (AI) course aimed at the Petra Jaya parliamentary constituency. A total of 108 participants, mainly community leaders, completed the course, gaining essential skills in data analysis and document preparation. The program, in collaboration with Microsoft, aims to equip participants to train local communities, particularly in rural areas.

The effectiveness of the AI training program will be evaluated by Microsoft, with plans to expand it across the state if successful. Using data to identify community needs will facilitate better planning and service delivery.