Latest news with #SarawakLegislativeAssembly
Borneo Post
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Organising committee finalises seven-point declaration ahead of 722 Independence Day parade
(From left) Organising Committee members of the 722 Sarawak Independence Day Cultural Parade 2025 — Alim GA Mideh (Publicity), Bruce Walker (Treasurer), Haji Awang Ahmad (Advisor), Patrick Anek (Legal), Dominique Ng (Legal), Francis James Noew (Organising Chairman), Anthony David (Organising Secretary), and Raymond Thong (Advisor) pose for a photo call. KUCHING (July 14): The Organising Committee of the 722 Sarawak Independence Day Cultural Parade 2025 has finalised the Seven 722 Sarawak Independence Day Declarations. These declarations, rooted in Sarawak's historical rights and the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), will be formally adopted and proclaimed during the cultural parade on July 22, 2025. The declarations outline seven key demands and will be displayed on large banners during the event for public endorsement. Both English and Malay versions will be available, similar to the banners used during the 2013 (Telang Usan) and 2018 (Tasek Biru, Bau) commemorations. 'In witness whereof, we hereby adopt and proclaim this Declaration on the 22nd day of July, 2025, as an affirmation of our unity, rights, and sovereign identity as the People of Sarawak,' a committee spokesperson said when contacted. The public will be invited to sign these banners, symbolising support for the declaration. These signed declarations will then be submitted to the Governor of Sarawak and the Premier for further action. The first declaration calls for the full implementation of the MA63, regarded as the foundational legal instrument for the formation of the Federation of Malaysia. The committee demands that the agreement be honoured without delay, including the restoration of Sarawak's original legislative, fiscal, judicial, and administrative autonomy. The second declaration calls for Sarawak's exclusion from the Petroleum Development Act 1974, which the committee argues was enacted without the consent of the Sarawak government or the Sarawak Legislative Assembly. It reaffirms Sarawak's exclusive regulatory authority over petroleum and natural resources within its territorial boundaries, both onshore and offshore. The third point demands that all Native Customary Rights (NCR) land be recognised, surveyed, documented, and granted individual titles under Section 18 of the Sarawak Land Code. It stresses that the land rights of indigenous communities must not be infringed upon without consent and fair compensation. Another key demand is free higher education for all 'bangsa Sarawak', to ensure equitable access to knowledge, development, and self-determination. The fifth point also advocates for the equitable distribution of employment and business, with priority given to Sarawakians in both public and private sectors. The sixth point calls for the revival and formal recognition of the Sarawak Rangers as a state-regimented institution to help preserve Sarawak's martial heritage and ensure local security. Finally, the declaration calls for the protection of educational institutions from religious influence, stating that all academic institutions in Sarawak must remain secular and independent. This is to safeguard freedom of belief, interfaith harmony, and Sarawak's cultural pluralism. The organising committee described the declarations as a 'a matter of legal, moral, and political imperative,' urging authorities and institutions across Malaysia to honour and implemetn them. The 722 Sarawak Independence Day Cultural Parade 2025 will take place at Tasik Biru, Bau on July 22 to commemorate Sarawak's attainment of self-government in 1963. 722 gathering declaration Malaysia Agreement 1963 Sarawak independence day
Borneo Post
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Seat hike in Sarawak DUN necessary for effective governance, says DPM Fadillah
Fadillah (center) with Syeed (third right) and others in a photocall during his visit at Centexs Santubong today. – Photo by Galileo Petingi KUCHING (July 12): Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has expressed support for increasing the number of seats in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) from 82 to 99, saying it would enhance governance and service delivery, particularly in rural areas. He said the proposal takes into account Sarawak's unique characteristics, such as its vast land area and scattered population, rather than relying solely on population numbers. 'We cannot consider only the population size. Sarawak is vast, and some areas are large but have scattered populations. 'We need to evaluate this from an administrative and ethnic representation standpoint,' he said after visiting participants of the Microsoft AI For My Future programme for the Petra Jaya parliamentary constituency at Centexs Santubong today. Citing Hulu Rajang as an example – a constituency as large as the state of Pahang but represented by only one MP – Fadillah stressed the importance of fair and effective representation, especially in regions still facing development challenges. He said the proposed increase would allow for more targeted and inclusive development planning in line with Sarawak's vision to become a developed and prosperous state by 2030. 'I believe this expansion will allow the state government to carry out development planning more systematically and based on the actual needs of the people,' he said, adding that such a move was a strategic necessity for more inclusive administration and development. Also present during the visit were Centexs CEO Dato Syeed Mohd Hussien Wan Abdul Rahman. fadillah yusof Sarawak DUN seats
The Star
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Padungan rep ejected from Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting
DAP's Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen (left) speaking to reporters after being sent out from the Sarawak Legislative Assembly chamber on Monday (July 7) afternoon. KUCHING: DAP's Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen was ejected from the Sarawak Legislative Assembly's one-day sitting on Monday (July 7). Chong had wanted to raise a point of order while Lo Khere Chiang (GPS-Batu Kitang) was debating the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025. Lo had alleged that Chong wanted to increase the number of Sarawak's parliamentary seats but refused to support the increase of state seats. As Lo did not give way, Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar repeatedly told Chong to sit down. He finally ordered Chong to be sent out from the chamber when the latter continued to interject. Chong later told reporters that the Speaker had acted unfairly in dismissing him. "When a point of order is raised, the Speaker should allow it. That is the normal practice," he said.
New Straits Times
05-07-2025
- 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.
Malay Mail
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Bill to increase Sarawak assembly seats set for tabling at July 7 special sitting
KUCHING, July 5 — 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 changing public expectations. Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said the surge in voters 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 challenging to manage,' he said at a press conference here today. He said the proposed legislation, titled 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. Mohamad Asfia noted that the last increase in the assembly's composition was in 2014 and that under Article 113(2) of the Federal Constitution, such changes may be made after a period of eight years. The Sarawak Legislative Assembly currently comprises 82 members. — Bernama
