THE appointment of additional members to the State Cabinet will significantly strengthen Sarawak’s governance system and improve the delivery of key government policies, said Murum assemblyman Kennedy Chukpai Ugon.
Debating in support of the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2025 at the DUN sitting on Monday (Nov 24), he said the proposed expansion of the Cabinet is a well-considered step grounded in constitutional authority and aimed at ensuring Sarawak remains efficient, responsive and capable of meeting growing governance demands.
“This Bill is not a mere technical adjustment; it is a strategic measure to strengthen the machinery of the state government,” he said.
He added that Item 7 of the State List in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution clearly recognises the Cabinet as the core executive organ of the state government.
Chukpai said allowing up to four additional Cabinet members will help enhance policy coordination, speed up decision-making and improve cross-ministry integration.
“A more robust Cabinet will ensure policies are more coherent. In a diverse state like Sarawak, broader representation within the Cabinet strengthens deliberations by ensuring regional perspectives are reflected before policies are implemented,” he said.
He stressed that the appointments remain aligned with democratic principles, as the additional members will come from elected representatives who are accountable to the people.
“Expanded representation does not weaken transparency. Instead, it enhances oversight and strengthens responsible government,” he said.
Chukpai also emphasised the value of wider regional representation in the state’s executive arm.
“Sarawak’s strength lies in its diversity. An expanded Cabinet allows more voices from different regions to be included in high-level decision-making. When communities see their concerns reflected in Cabinet discussions, public confidence and policy acceptance improve,” he said.
He noted that the amendment is also fiscally responsible, as any additional expenditure will be managed with clear budgeting, proper oversight and an emphasis on generating tangible public value.
Chukpai said the practical benefits of having up to four additional Cabinet members include stronger coordination across major sectors, quicker responses during emergencies, clearer authority lines in public service delivery and policies that better reflect the realities faced by different regions.
“This amendment is modest in scale but meaningful in impact. More voices in the Cabinet bring greater scrutiny in policy drafting and implementation, reinforcing transparency and responsible stewardship of public funds,” he said.
He described the Bill as a prudent evolution of Sarawak’s constitutional framework that improves policy coherence, enhances executive capacity and ensures the government remains responsive to the needs of the rakyat.
“These amendments strengthen governance without compromising constitutional principles. A stronger Cabinet means a stronger Sarawak,” he said.
