Dapsy S'wak slams DUN seat expansion as power grab, not people's benefit
MIRI (July 11): The Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (Dapsy) Sarawak has criticised the recent move to expand the number of seats in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), describing it as a politically-driven exercise aimed at entrenching power rather than addressing the people's needs.
Dapsy Sarawak chief Peter Hee called the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS)-led government's focus on redrawing political boundaries a misplaced priority, at a time when Sarawakians are grappling with rising living costs, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to quality education and healthcare.
'This is clearly a strategy to entrench power, not to uplift lives,' he said in a statement yesterday.
The Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, passed during a special assembly sitting on July 7, paves the way for an increase in the state constituencies from 82 to 99.
The last redelineation in 2015 saw the creation of 11 new seats.
Hee questioned the rationale behind the seat expansion, pointing out the lack of public demand or clear justification.
'Where is the transparency? Where are the consultations? How will these changes benefit rural communities rather than just strengthen the positions of political elites?'
He cautioned that the move could worsen development gaps between urban and rural areas, stressing that the government should instead prioritise equitable distribution of resources, better education opportunities, and youth employment.
'What we urgently need is equitable distribution of public resources, quality education opportunities, and support for young people to secure jobs or start businesses, not more politicians to attend ribbon-cutting ceremonies,' he said.
He urged Sarawakians to remain vigilant and push for full public engagement before any constituency redelineation is implemented.
'The government must present clear data and a solid rationale before even considering altering constituency lines.
'Otherwise, it's just another political game,' he added, noting that young Sarawakians wanted a system that prioritises public welfare over political considerations.
'The youth want a fair and transparent system – one that puts people first, not politics.' DAPSY DUN seats lead Peter Hee
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