THE Sarawak government has tabled a bill to increase the number of seats in its state legislative assembly from 82 to 99, in a move aimed at improving equitable representation amid rising population and expanding urban and rural demands.
The Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025 was presented today by Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, during a special sitting of the state assembly.
“Given the vast geographical expanse of Sarawak and the extensive areas that some ADUN or state representatives representing rural constituencies must cover, this proposed increase in the number of elected representatives is both reasonable and necessary,” said Abdul Karim.
“It will enhance accessibility to governance. It will ensure the needs and concerns of the rakyat are more efficiently and more effectively addressed and improve service delivery through leadership that is closer and more responsive to the rakyat,” he added.
The bill, if passed, will repeal the existing Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Ordinance 2014 (Cap. 70), which set the number of elected members at 82. The new composition is expected to come into effect ahead of the next state election.
“Voters will elect 99 representatives to this Dewan. This change ensures that the Dewan remains responsive, relevant and ready to serve every corner of our beloved state with greater efficiency and inclusivity,” Abdul Karim said.
He traced the growth of the state legislature over the years, noting a consistent increase in seat numbers – from 48 in 1969 to 56 in 1985, 62 in 1995, 71 in 2005, and most recently 82 in 2014.
The proposed amendment, he said, is in line with Article 113(2)(ii) of the Federal Constitution, which permits the review and redelineation of electoral boundaries at intervals not less than eight years.
“The last delineation exercise in Sarawak was in 2015, and since then, we have seen a significant increase in population and the number of voters, especially after the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18,” he noted. - July 7, 2025
