Kuching: The Sarawak government today presented the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, aiming to increase the number of elected representatives in the state assembly from 82 to 99.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the bill was introduced by Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. The proposal is designed to accommodate demographic shifts, urban growth, and the increasing demand for fair representation within the state.
Abdul Karim highlighted that the large geographical area of Sarawak and the significant distances some state representatives must travel in rural constituencies necessitate this increase in elected representatives. He stated that the change would enhance governance accessibility and ensure the needs of the people are addressed more efficiently and effectively, thereby improving service delivery through leadership that is closer and more responsive to the public.
He noted that the proposed amendment seeks to repeal the existing Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Ordinance 2014 (Cap. 70), which currently sets the number of assembly seats at 82. The new composition, once approved and gazetted, is expected to be in effect for the next state election, allowing voters to elect 99 representatives. This adjustment is intended to keep the Dewan responsive and ready to serve the state’s diverse needs with improved efficiency and inclusivity.
Tracing the historical development of the state legislature, Abdul Karim pointed out that the number of seats has gradually increased over the years, beginning with 48 elected representatives in 1969. This number rose to 56 in 1985, 62 in 1995, 71 in 2005, and then to 82 in 2014. He emphasized that the new bill aligns with Article 113(2)(ii) of the Federal Constitution, which permits a review of electoral boundaries at intervals of not less than eight years.
He also mentioned that since the last delineation exercise in 2015, there has been a significant rise in both population and voter numbers, especially following the reduction of the voting age from 21 to 18.