MIRI: The Sarawak Bumiputera Entrepreneurs Chamber (DUBS) Miri Branch welcomed and expressed full support for the Bill passed in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) concerning the addition of 17 new DUN constituencies.
The move marks a significant step in strengthening the state’s administrative structure and ensuring more efficient, comprehensive and localised government service delivery.
It reflects the state government’s commitment to ensuring that the voices of the people, particularly those from rural and interior areas, are heard and given due attention in the development process.
DUBS Miri Chairman, Mohammad Hafidz Rohani, said the addition of new constituencies provides opportunities for more targeted and needs-based economic planning.
“DUBS Miri believes that when constituencies are divided and represented more specifically, various economic issues and challenges faced by rural communities such as market access, logistics facilities, and financing opportunities can be addressed more proactively and effectively,” he said.
He added that entrepreneurial opportunities in agriculture, agro-tourism, food processing, and community-based small industries would grow, especially if the state government continues to support development based on local strengths.
“This is a chance for more small-and-medium-scale development projects involving local entrepreneurs, Bumiputera contractors, as well as youth and women in rural areas,” he explained.
Meanwhile DUBS Miri Deputy Chairman, Dr Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim, also expressed his confidence that the addition of new constituencies will open space for new leaders who are closer to the people and better understand local economic issues, especially in rural areas.
“We hope that this initiative will not only bring physical development but also strengthen the economic resilience of local communities.
“Young entrepreneurs, modern farmers, and micro-entrepreneurs must be guided through progressive policies so they can become key players in the economic development of their respective areas,” he stated.
He further added that DUBS Miri supports aligning future development programmes with industry, academia, and the community to ensure meaningful and lasting impact.
“The ability to rise as a developed and self-reliant state begins with a fair and inclusive foundational structure – and that is the rationale behind this addition of state constituencies,” he said.
DUBS Miri also stressed the importance of ensuring that each new constituency receives serious attention in terms of human capital development and digital economy empowerment.
Rural entrepreneurs must not be left behind in the era of e-commerce, automation, and digital marketing – which requires ongoing support from development agencies and technical education institutions.
The chamber sees the addition of these new state constituencies as a long-term strategy to balance development gaps between urban and rural areas.
Areas such as Bekenu, Subis, Lambir, Marudi, and Long Lama hold vast untapped economic potential.
With more focused and accessible political representation, the development of basic infrastructure, such as roads, clean water supply, electricity and telecommunications networks, is expected to accelerate – thereby boosting local economic growth.
DUBS Miri urges that the implementation of post-Bill development frameworks involve open consultations with grassroots leaders, entrepreneur associations, and local youth groups, to ensure every development investment brings long-term and sustainable benefits to local communities.
