THE state government has been urged to consider a dedicated rural development ministry to enable more focused attention on Sarawak’s rural regions and communities.
Telang Usan state assemblyman, Datuk Dennis Ngau, said rural development agencies such as Highland Development Agency (HDA), Ulu Rejang Development Agency (URDA) and Northern Region Development Agency (NRDA) could be enhanced under this proposed ministry.
As responsibilities increase, he said the size of the executive must grow proportionally to effectively manage these responsibilities.
“To sustain this momentum, we need a Cabinet that is structurally equipped to manage these expanding portfolios.
“Increasing the number of ministers allows for more focused, specialised and manageable responsibilities, enabling each ministry to function with greater depth, efficiency and accountability, more importantly in a speedier manner,” he said when debating in support of the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2025 during the DUN sitting today.
Dennis added that a larger Cabinet allows the Premier to create a new ministry and appoint a minister to look at the need of the people for better policy responsiveness, ensuring that each region’s needs, whether in the coastal areas, highlands, rural interiors or urban centres, receive dedicated attention.
“This amendment enhances our ability to serve every Sarawakian no matter where they live.
“As a member of this august House representing a very rural constituency, we see this amendment as an opportunity to put more focus on rural development and related areas seen today and new areas.
“Moreover, as we regain and exercise greater autonomy under the Malaysia Agreement 1963, Sarawak now holds increased responsibilities,” he said.
Dennis stressed that these are not small matters as they require strong leadership, dedicated oversight, and the administrative capacity to ensure that autonomy translates into tangled movements for the people.
“Fourteen ministers will allow Sarawak to fully utilise these devolved powers, avoiding bottlenecks, and strengthening the machinery of government,” he said.
