Sarawak Tables Bill To Increase State Assembly Seats From 82 To 99
The bill, tabled by Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, aims to reflect demographic changes, urban expansion and the growing need for equitable representation in the state.
'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.
'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 said during a special sitting at the state assembly today.
Abdul Karim said the proposed amendment would repeal the current Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Ordinance 2014 (Cap. 70), which fixed the number of seats at 82.
He added that the new composition, once passed and gazetted, would be implemented in time for 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,' he said.
Tracing the historical growth of the state legislature, he noted that the number of seats has progressively increased over the years, starting with 48 elected representatives in 1969. This rose to 56 in 1985, 62 in 1995, 71 in 2005, and then to 82 in 2014.
He said the new bill is in line with Article 113(2)(ii) of the Federal Constitution, which allows for a review of electoral boundaries at intervals of not less than eight years.
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