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Sarawak to table Bill increasing state assembly seats on July 7
Sarawak to table Bill increasing state assembly seats on July 7

New Straits Times

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • New Straits Times

Sarawak to table Bill increasing state assembly seats on July 7

KUCHING: A Bill to increase the number of members in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly will be tabled during a special sitting on July 7, in response to a sharp rise in voter numbers and evolving public expectations. Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said the surge in voter numbers followed the lowering of the voting age to 18, which has significantly reshaped the state's political and constituency landscape since 2014. "This, in turn, has raised public expectations and created a new political landscape for leaders and elected representatives. "The size of both parliamentary and state constituencies in Sarawak is vast and increasingly difficult to manage," he said at a press conference here today. He said the proposed legislation, titled the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, will be tabled by Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. All three readings of the Bill are scheduled to take place on the same day, he added. Asfia noted that the last increase in the assembly's membership was in 2014, and that under Article 113(2) of the Federal Constitution, such changes may be made after a period of eight years.

Abdul Karim: DUN seat expansion Bill expected to pass smoothly
Abdul Karim: DUN seat expansion Bill expected to pass smoothly

Borneo Post

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • Borneo Post

Abdul Karim: DUN seat expansion Bill expected to pass smoothly

Abdul Karim speaking to reporters following the pre-council meeting in Kuching. Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 5): The upcoming tabling of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, which proposes increasing the number of seats in Sarawak's State Legislative Assembly (DUN), is expected to proceed smoothly, said Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. He said the Bill, once tabled, should receive majority support given the strong mandate held by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). 'Well, definitely, I expect it to be endorsed in the DUN first, given the kind of majority that GPS has. The tabling of the proposal to increase the number of DUN seats will definitely go through, the way I see it,' he said when met at the Pre-Council Meeting held in conjunction with the Special One-Day Sitting of the DUN at PBB Headquarters here today. He added that once endorsed by the DUN, the Bill would then be brought to Parliament for federal approval, a step he does not foresee encountering any resistance. 'Next would be for Parliament to also endorse it, which I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be, because it's not a parliamentary increase, it's a state increase,' he said. Abdul Karim explained that once both legislative bodies have endorsed the Bill, the Election Commission (EC) would be responsible for conducting the redelineation exercise. 'It is then for SPR to define where the increase should be and where the delineation would take place,' he added. The Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025 is expected to pave the way for the expansion of Sarawak's legislative representation, which will subsequently require the redrawing of constituency boundaries by the EC. Abdul Karim, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Information Chief, added that the significant increase in the number of voters since 2018 has made the proposal to add more state seats a long-overdue necessity. Commenting on speculation that the motion could be tabled in Parliament as early as August, he said that while nothing has been confirmed, the proposal aligns with Sarawak's ongoing efforts to reclaim its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), including the push for more parliamentary seats. 'We have long urged for an increase in parliamentary representation. This increase in state seats may be seen as part of that broader effort, as any addition of parliamentary seats must also be preceded by a corresponding increase at the state level,' he said.

DUN Speaker: Bill tabled to increase number of seats amid voter surge, geographic challenges
DUN Speaker: Bill tabled to increase number of seats amid voter surge, geographic challenges

Borneo Post

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • Borneo Post

DUN Speaker: Bill tabled to increase number of seats amid voter surge, geographic challenges

Asfia speaks at the press conference. Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 5): A sharp rise in voter numbers, combined with the vast size of Sarawak's constituencies and challenging terrain, has prompted the state government to propose increasing the number of elected members in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN). DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025 will be tabled during a one-day sitting on July 7. He said the proposed increase is necessary to reflect demographic shifts and address the logistical difficulties of serving remote areas. 'Since 2014, much water has passed under the bridge. The lowering of the voting age to 18 has triggered a sudden and staggering increase in the number of voters. 'There is an increase in the expectations of the people and voters, creating a new scenario for leaders and elected representatives. 'The sheer sizes of both parliamentary and state constituencies in Sarawak are gargantuan. This is exacerbated by difficult terrain and nightmarish logistics,' he said at a press conference held at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters here today. Asfia said the DUN currently has 82 elected members. The last increase was in 2014, when the number of seats rose from 71 to 82. Earlier increases were in 2005 (from 62 to 71) and 1995 (from 56 to 62). The proposed Bill will be tabled by Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. 'First, second, and third readings will all take place on July 7. 'Government backbenchers and Opposition members can debate the Bill during this sitting,' said Asfia. The meeting will begin at 9am at the DUN Chambers, Level 8 of the DUN building. He added that the last review of seat composition was more than eight years ago, in line with Article 113(2)(ii) of the Federal Constitution, which allows for such reviews after a minimum interval of eight years. On allegations of gerrymandering, Asfia dismissed concerns and explained the origin of the term. 'The delineation in Sarawak does not make N26 Gedong, which is the Premier's constituency, the shape of a salamander,' he said, referring to the historical example of Governor Eldridge Gerry's redistricting in 1812 Massachusetts. 'The Premier can win hands down in N26 Gedong without changing the constituency. The delineation is done by the Election Commission, not the DUN or the state government,' he added.

Sarawak DUN to table Bill on increasing assembly seats on July 7
Sarawak DUN to table Bill on increasing assembly seats on July 7

Borneo Post

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • Borneo Post

Sarawak DUN to table Bill on increasing assembly seats on July 7

Asfia (centre) flanked by Deputy Speaker Dato Idris Buang (left) and DUN secretary Nur Azhar Bujan holds up the documents for the media after the press conference. — Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (July 5): A special one-day sitting of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) has been scheduled on July 7 to table the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025, which seeks to increase the number of elected members in the Assembly. DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar announced this during a press conference at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters here today. 'On June 18, I received a directive from the Premier to convene the State Legislative Assembly on July 7, for a one-day sitting,' he said, adding that the meeting will begin at 9am at the DUN Chambers on Level 8 of the DUN Complex. The Bill will be tabled by Minister for Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, with the first, second and third readings all to be carried out on the same day. Asfia said the Bill proposes to amend the composition of DUN membership, which currently stands at 82 elected members and was last increased from 71 seats in 2014. 'The last increase was in 2014, when the number of seats was raised from 71 to 82. That was 11 years ago,' he said. 'Under Article 14(1)(b) of the Sarawak Constitution, the Dewan has the power to increase its composition, and there is no maximum limit stated.' He explained that the Bill only requires a simple majority to pass, not two-thirds, as provided under Article 41(3)(a) of the Sarawak Constitution. 'Clause 2 shall not apply to a Bill for making any amendment consequential or law prescribing the number of elected members of the Dewan Undangan Negeri,' Asfia said, referring to the exemption from the two-thirds requirement for changes to the DUN composition. Asfia stressed that while the DUN can increase the number of seats, the actual delineation of constituency boundaries remains under the purview of the Election Commission (EC), a federal agency. 'Let me draw a clear line of demarcation between the composition of elected members in the DUN and the delineation of constituencies on the ground,' he said. 'Delineation is not done by the DUN. It is left to EC.' Asfia also cited the Federal Constitution to justify the timing of the proposed increase. 'Article 113(2)(ii) of the Federal Constitution allows an increase in composition after an interval of not less than eight years,' he said. In terms of electoral context, Asfia said the lowering of the voting age to 18 has led to a 'staggering increase in the number of voters,' especially in vast and geographically challenging constituencies in Sarawak. He highlighted that Hulu Rajang spans 34,080 square kilometres, and Baram covers 22,075 square kilometres—both larger than the combined size of Perlis and Malacca. Bintulu, he added, has the highest number of voters at 113,599. 'The elected representatives are prisoners of geography in these colossal constituencies,' he remarked. Responding to questions from reporters, Asfia declined to reveal the proposed number of additional seats, saying: 'I will leave that entirely to the Minister who tables the Bill. I only speak on the legal interpretation and reasons for the increase.' When asked whether the move would lead to a similar increase at the federal parliamentary level, Asfia said: 'Parliamentary seats are outside the ambit and jurisdiction of the DUN Sarawak. They require a two-thirds majority in the National Parliament.' A notice for the one-day sitting was issued on June 20, 2025, in accordance with Standing Order 8(3), which allows for an early sitting if deemed in the public interest by the Chief Minister.

Two Sabah assemblymen, one civilian to be charged in mining graft case this month, says MACC chief
Two Sabah assemblymen, one civilian to be charged in mining graft case this month, says MACC chief

Malay Mail

time18-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Malay Mail

Two Sabah assemblymen, one civilian to be charged in mining graft case this month, says MACC chief

KOTA KINABALU, June 18 — The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) will charge two Sabah assemblymen and a civilian in court this month over a corruption scandal involving mining licenses in the state, according to Sinar Harian. MACC chief Tan Sri Azam Baki told reporters that the individuals are in the process of being arrested and notified about their court dates. 'There are two suspects who are state assemblymen and one civilian. We are in the process of arresting them and informing them of their court dates,' Azam was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian. 'I cannot reveal the exact date yet, but I can confirm they will be charged in court this month,' he was quoted as saying. The impending charges are believed to be linked to a high-profile graft scandal exposed last year involving Sabah assemblymen, Sinar Harian reported. Azam also said that the MACC is working with the state's Corruption Court to finalise the prosecution date, with suspects currently being called in for interviews. Addressing questions about a video allegedly implicating the assemblymen, Azam clarified that the investigation is not solely dependent on the video evidence. 'Such cases are complex, and we do not rely solely on video evidence. Other evidence and witness statements are critical to the investigation. Whether the video is authentic or not, it will be evaluated alongside other evidence,' he said, according to Sinar Harian. The MACC chief added that the agency has submitted the findings to prosecutors for further action. The corruption scandal, which centres on Sabah's mineral mining licenses, made headlines last year and is now set to result in criminal charges against the three individuals involved. Azam stressed that further details will be revealed once the legal process is complete.

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