Kuala lumpur: There is no clear timeline to table the bill on 17 new Sarawak State Assembly seats in the Dewan Rakyat, said Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi. Nanta, who is also the Kapit Member of Parliament, mentioned that the timeline for presenting the proposal remains uncertain as discussions are ongoing at the relevant levels.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nanta briefly stated, 'We do not have any information yet,' when approached by reporters after a Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Supreme Council meeting chaired by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Nanta expressed uncertainty about whether the additional seats could be implemented in time for the next state election, required by February 2027.

Nanta, who holds the position of GPS secretary-general, noted that the issue is under consideration and progress is being made, though details are not ready to be disclosed. The Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, passed in a Special Sitting of the Sarawak State Assembly in July last year, increased the number of state seats to 99 from 82.

Recently, media reports highlighted that Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said mentioned that the decision on implementing a delimitation review lies with the Election Commission (EC), post an eight-year period. For Sarawak, this period concluded on August 21, 2023. Azalina stated that the EC is in the process of preparing its proposed delimitation review for the state, in accordance with the Federal Constitution's guidelines.