KUCHING: The proposed increase in Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats is now awaiting action from the Election Commission (SPR) following its approval at the state level.
DUN Speaker, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, said the DUN has already approved the addition of 17 new seats, bringing the total from 82 to 99.
“The Dewan has done its part. It is now up to the SPR to carry out the delineation process on the ground before any further steps can be taken,” he said when met by reporters at Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment, Datuk Len Talif Salleh’s Raya Open House.
He explained that the delineation exercise would involve ground-level studies by the SPR, followed by a public display and objection process before the proposal is brought to Parliament.
Asfia noted that while the addition of DUN seats only requires a simple majority, the creation of new parliamentary seats would require a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
He said there has been no official response so far from the federal government or the SPR regarding the next phase of the process.
Meanwhile, he stressed that Sarawak’s unique geographical challenges must be taken into account in any redelineation exercise.
“Sarawak cannot be measured purely based on population, as our constituencies are vast and geographically challenging,” he said.
He pointed out that some parliamentary constituencies currently cover areas with up to four state seats and nearly 120,000 voters, making them difficult to manage effectively.
Asfia cited the logistical challenges faced in travelling across large constituencies, including areas that require multiple refuelling stops by helicopter, as an example of the need for smaller and more manageable constituencies.
He added that factors such as forests, agricultural land and coastal communities must also be considered in the delineation process, rather than relying solely on population size.
On political readiness, Asfia said preparations must continue regardless of whether the new seats are finalised.
“We must continue strengthening our confidence and readiness, with or without the new constituencies,” he said.
He also noted that the current DUN term runs until February 2027, and can be dissolved at any time by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri upon the advice of the Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
