KUCHING: Opinions differ on Sarawak’s proposal to expand its State Cabinet, with experts and lawmakers highlighting implications for governance and efficiency.
Political analyst, Professor James Chin, said a practical approach could be to increase deputy‑minister positions rather than adding more full ministers.
“For a population of Sarawak, they should not increase the number of ministers, but they may increase the number of deputy ministers,” Chin said, noting that Sarawak already has the largest number of political secretaries in Malaysia, many serving just below deputy ministers and handling significant political work.
Chin added that enlarging the cabinet could create long-term challenges.
“Once you enlarge it, it’s very difficult to make it smaller in the future. What we need is a very sophisticated and effective civil service because the civil service delivers the services.
“Ministers, deputy ministers, political secretaries – they work on the political aspect, and I’m not sure we want many of them,” he said.
He suggested an upper limit of twelve ministers, with deputy ministers and political secretaries handling specific portfolios.
Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim offered a different perspective on Chin’s suggestion to increase deputy ministers.
He explained that most deputy ministers do not have decision-making authority unless formally delegated by their ministers, which rarely happens automatically.
“To me, more deputy ministers may not solve the problem. Ministers have the authority to make decisions in their respective departments, while deputy ministers usually require delegation. Without it, decision-making remains at the ministerial level,” Ahmad said.
Earlier, Sarawak State Assembly Speaker, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, said the bill to amend the state constitution is intended to give the state more flexibility in appointing ministers and managing portfolios, reflecting Sarawak’s growing administrative needs, according to a BERNAMA report.
The proposed amendment is expected to be debated in the upcoming state assembly sitting, highlighting the balance between effective governance and political representation.
