SARAWAK has the constitutional authority to expand its State Cabinet in order to meet growing administrative and developmental needs.
Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang emphasised that the amendment is fully consistent with Item 7 of the State List (List II) in the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.
“This House retains full sovereignty under MA63 and the State Constitution to shape the structure of our own executive council,” he said this when debating in support on the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2025 today (November 24).
The amendment allows the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, acting on the advice of the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, to appoint up to four additional members to the Cabinet from among the elected members of the House.
Christopher said the move aims to enhance executive capacity, improve focus in complex ministries and strengthen policy delivery in areas requiring urgent attention such as energy transition, digital transformation, regional development agencies, education and rural infrastructure.
He highlighted that ministries today manage wider portfolios than before, including infrastructure, utilities and education, while regional development agencies such as Mid-Rajang Development Agency (MIRRDA), Northen Regionl Development Agency (NRDA), Upper Rajang Development Agency (URDA), and Highland Development Agency (HDA) require close ministerial supervision.
“Adding Cabinet members would enable more focused attention and faster implementation,” he added.
Speaking on the impact for rural areas like Tamin, he said a strengthened Cabinet would shorten approval chains and ensure that development projects reach longhouses and kampungs, including road upgrades, water supply, telecommunications, schools and clinics.
While acknowledging the additional cost, Christopher stressed that the benefits of faster rural development, improved project coordination, and more efficient governance outweigh the financial implications.
He also said the amendment aligns with Sarawak’s post-Covid 2030 vision to become a high-income, sustainable state and to strengthen autonomy under MA63.
“This amendment is about capacity and performance, not political expansion. A stronger Cabinet is the backbone of a stronger Sarawak,” he said.
