THE proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Sarawak Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2025 will strengthen representation and accountability within the State Cabinet.
Ba’Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian stressed that allowing the appointment of up to four additional members to the Cabinet would bring more voices into the decision-making process, ensuring that the diverse concerns of Sarawakians were better reflected at the government level.
“With more representation, we can be assured that the needs of our constituents are addressed.
“This fosters inclusiveness and drives accountability within the Cabinet,” he said this when debating in support of the Bill here yesterday (November 24).
Baru added that expanding the State Cabinet was timely, given Sarawak’s vast geographical size and the complexities of governing a state nearly as large as Peninsular Malaysia.
He said additional leadership would enable more focused attention on the needs of communities spread across a wide area.
He also pointed out that the amendment would help ease the workload of senior ministers currently managing multiple portfolios, allowing for more effective implementation of policies and improved service delivery.
Baru noted that the additional members could also bring specialised expertise, particularly in areas such as economic development, environmental management and infrastructure planning in support of Sarawak’s long-term growth strategies.
The move, he said, aligned with the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s 2026 Sarawak Budget goals, including efforts to transition Sarawak into a high-income economy, enhance social well-being, strengthen fiscal management, position the state as a regional economic powerhouse and advance its renewable energy agenda.
“This amendment presents an opportunity for us to move toward more effective, responsive and inclusive governance,” he said, reaffirming his strong support for the bill on behalf of Ba’ Kelalan.
