Tupong assemblyman questions DAP's non-support for addition of DUN seats

Borneo Post

08-07-2025

Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman
KUCHING (July 8): Tupong assemblyman Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman has questioned the logic behind the Democratic Action Party (DAP)'s reluctance in supporting the proposed increase of seats in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
Debating the DUN (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, during a special sitting yesterday, Fazzrudin expressed bewilderment at what he described as DAP's inconsistent stance, calling it 'a clear sign of political confusion'.
'I am baffled that members from the Opposition, particularly Pending and Padungan, oppose increasing state seats, yet (they) support adding parliamentary seats. This inconsistency is difficult to comprehend,' he pointed out.
The Bill, tabled by Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, proposes to increase the number of elected DUN Sarawak members from the present 82 to 99, following the constitutional provision that allows for a review after eight years.
Fazzrudin, also the chief political secretary to the Sarawak Premier, said the Opposition's claims that the seat increase would benefit Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) politically were 'premature and unfounded'.
'The role of the DUN today is only to decide whether or not we agree to increase the seats.
'The redelineation process after that is under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission (EC), not GPS.
'The EC, which falls under the federal government's jurisdiction, will handle the technical aspects including public objections and final approvals.'
Fazzrudin lambasted DAP representatives for suggesting that the move was politically motivated.
'How is it fair that a large area like Hulu Rajang, which is the size of Pahang, is represented by only three state seats? Shouldn't we be looking at geographic realities too, not just population?' he said.
Fazzrudin stressed that having more representatives would translate to more allocations of resources and better development for rural and underrepresented areas, aligning with Sarawak's long-term development goals.
'The idea of 'one person, one vote' must also consider the physical size and development needs of a constituency. A larger area with only one ADUN (assemblyman) cannot be effectively served.'
He also reminded the House that the proposed redelineation was in line with Malaysia's founding agreements, citing the need to restore the one-third parliamentary seat representation for Sarawak and Sabah, a provision originally safeguarded during the formation of Malaysia.
'This is the first step towards restoring that balance.
'Once, Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore together held one-third of the seats in Parliament. That balance must be reinstated to ensure that no law detrimental to our rights is passed without any proper check.'
The Bill is expected to proceed to the next stage of the legislative process, pending approval from the EC, and eventual endorsement by the federal government.