KUCHING: The Sarawak government’s proposal to increase its State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats comes at a constitutionally appropriate and timely juncture, according to political analyst Dr Lee Kuok Tiung.
He said the introduction of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025 is a proactive measure grounded in Article 14(1)(b) of the Sarawak Constitution and Article 113(2)(ii) of the Federal Constitution.
“Although the Election Commission (EC) has said that a redelineation of parliamentary electoral boundaries can only be done by 2026 (the last time was 2018).
“However, the last redelineation for Sarawak was actually in 2015, more than eight years ago, making the timing appropriate,” he told Sarawak Tribune today (July 7).
He said the seat expansion reflects current political and demographic realities, especially in light of Undi18 and automatic voter registration, both of which have significantly altered the voter landscape.
“The implementation of Undi18 actually saw a sudden 40 per cent increase in the number of eligible voters,” he said.
Responding to concerns that the Bill does not involve redrawing constituency boundaries, Dr Lee said the expansion still holds value, particularly for improving representation in rural or remote areas.
“Sarawak, as the largest state in Malaysia, has always faced challenges due to its vast geography and remote constituencies. Appropriate representation is necessary to ensure inclusive development across all segments of society,” he said.
