THE addition of new seats will enable fair distribution of the voter population, ease the burden on existing elected representatives, and ensure that the people are represented in a fair, equitable, and balanced manner.
Opar assemblyman Billy Sujang said one of the main justifications for the addition of new seats lies in the significant increase in the number of voters, particularly following the implementation of the Undi18 law, which automatically registers citizens aged 18 and above as eligible voters.
In recent years, he said, Sarawak’s electoral roll has experienced a dramatic surge in the number of registered voters.
“This is not merely a statistical increase, but a fundamental shift in the democratic landscape of Sarawak.
“Key electoral areas such as Kuching, Miri, and Bintulu have become overcrowded, with the number of voters far exceeding the average per constituency. In some cases, the disparity is more than double compared to rural areas.
“This imbalance undermines the principle of ‘one person, one vote’. Without redelineation or an increase in seats, the value of votes in urban areas becomes disproportionate to those in rural constituencies,” he said when debating in support of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, during the special DUN sitting today.
Billy added that several existing constituencies cover hundreds of kilometres, making it logistically challenging for a single elected representative to serve all voters effectively.
By creating 17 new constituencies, he said it would be possible to draw boundaries that better reflect actual community groupings, provide broader and more effective coverage, and enable elected representatives to more easily access and respond to local issues.
“This increase is not about political gain, but about democratic inclusivity — ensuring that no citizen is left behind due to administrative limitations or Sarawak’s natural geographical challenges,” he said.
