KUCHING – Sarawak is set to expand its State Legislative Assembly (DUN) from 82 to 99 seats, following the tabling of a Bill aimed at accommodating population growth, urbanisation and the need for fairer representation.
The Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025 was tabled by Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah during a special sitting of the assembly today, Borneo Post reported.
He said the proposed increase was necessary to ensure that the legislature remained responsive and representative of the state’s demographic evolution and geographical scale.
“The DUN must remain dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of our people,” he told the House.
“Over the years, we have witnessed significant demographic changes, urban extension, and increasing demand for fair representation.”
Abdul Karim explained that Sarawak’s expansive territory and the large size of rural constituencies necessitated a larger number of representatives to ensure more effective governance and delivery of services.
“This proposed increase in the number of elected representatives is both reasonable and necessary,” he said.
“It will enhance accessibility to governance, ensure the needs and concerns of the rakyat are more efficiently and effectively addressed, and improve service delivery through leadership that is closer and more responsive to the rakyat.”
He noted that the current number of seats—set at 82 under the 2014 Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Ordinance—would be repealed and replaced under the proposed Bill.
The state’s legislature first comprised 48 elected members when Sarawak held its maiden direct elections in 1969. This number rose to 56 in 1985, 62 in 1995, and 71 in 2005. The most recent increase was in 2015, following a redelineation exercise that brought the total to 82.
The latest proposal aligns with Article 14(1)(b) of the Sarawak Constitution, which permits the number of elected assembly members to be prescribed by law, and Article 113(2)(ii) of the Federal Constitution, which allows for boundary reviews at least once every eight years.
“Since the last exercise, there has been a significant increase in population and voters, especially when the voting age for eligible voters was lowered from 21 to 18,” he added.
“This justifies the need for the creation of new constituencies to ensure that representation in this DUN remains fair and reflective of the current situation on the ground.”
Abdul Karim said that once the Bill is passed, the new ordinance would come into effect on a date to be appointed by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri. The new composition is expected to be in place ahead of the next state election.
“I firmly believe this Bill is both timely and essential. With our population steadily growing, new townships emerging, and communities’ needs evolving, this change ensures that the Dewan remains responsive, relevant, and ready to serve every corner of our beloved state with greater efficiency and inclusivity,” he said. – July 7, 2025