Increase (in state seats) vital in addressing rural-urban imbalance

THE move to increase the number of state seats from 82 to 99 is vital in addressing the current voter imbalance between urban and rural constituencies in Sarawak.
Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh (GPS-Bawang Assan) highlighted the stark disparity in voter distribution, noting that constituencies in urban centres such as Kuching, Miri, Bintulu, and Sibu each has over 30,000 voters, while some rural areas have fewer than 10,000.
“This means that one vote in the rural areas carries three times more weight than one in urban constituencies. Such an imbalance challenges the principle of electoral fairness,” he said when debating in support of Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025, during the special DUN sitting here on Monday (July 7).
At the same time, Wong acknowledged the logistical hurdles faced by rural assemblymen, many of whom have to traverse large, remote areas by boat, four-wheel drive, or on foot to serve their constituents.
He said the proposed seat increase offers a middle path to resolve the issue, allowing for a more equitable voter distribution while still recognising the unique demands of rural constituencies.
“We should aim for a reasonable range in voter numbers, one that restores fairness in urban representation but doesn’t ignore the challenges faced in the interior,” he said.
Wong further pointed out that smaller constituencies would enable elected representatives to be more effective in their service delivery, especially in rural and underserved regions.
“By reducing the physical size of each constituency, we make them more manageable, accessible and serviceable.
“This means better attention to the people’s needs from infrastructure and education to healthcare and economic development,” he said.
He added that this would also ensure better visibility of development initiatives in hard-to-reach areas, where progress has often lagged behind due to accessibility constraints.