KUCHING: Electoral constituencies should be reviewed every 10 years to keep pace with population growth and changes in the distribution of people, says Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy Berhad and PETROS) Datuk Ibrahim Baki.
He said regular delineation was necessary to ensure electoral areas continued to provide adequate representation, although he acknowledged that the current exercise appeared to have taken longer than expected.
“Every 10 years we have to delineate the areas for population growth, you know, things like that,” he told reporters after officiating the SIRIM Update and Networking Session 2026 here today (Sept 1).
He was commenting on the Election Commission’s (EC) proposed recommendations for the review of federal and state constituencies in Sarawak, which are now available for public inspection.
The proposed recommendations include the creation of 17 new state constituencies, increasing the total number of Sarawak DUN seats from 82 to 99.
Ibrahim said the process appeared to be somewhat late compared with previous exercises.
“To me personally, I think it’s a bit late. It should have been done earlier,” he said.
However, he acknowledged that delineating new electoral areas was not an easy process and that the EC might have its own challenges.
He said the exercise could take at least six months to complete, raising questions over whether it would be concluded in time for the next general election.
“Quite unlikely because it might take about maybe at least around six months to complete the exercise,” he said.
Asked whether the proposed boundaries could be used for the next State election, Ibrahim said this would depend on the progress of the exercise and any objections raised by the public.
“I don’t know because it all depends on our rakyat Sarawak. If there are objections, I’m sure there will be further (delays) and it takes a bit of time,” he said.
Ibrahim said the state government would leave further comments on the proposed boundaries until the details of the new boundary lines had been studied.
He said the increase from 82 to 99 seats is ultimately a matter of ensuring adequate representation as Sarawak’s population and development continued to grow.
“As our Premier mentioned, 82 (seats) okay, 99 seats also okay,” he said.
