KUCHING: Sarawak has welcomed the Election Commission’s (EC) move to begin displaying its proposal for 17 new State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats and their locations starting tomorrow (Sept 1).
Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali described the move as a positive development that had been long awaited, while expressing hope that the process would proceed smoothly.
“We welcome the EC’s move to display the 17 seats. This is something we have been waiting for as the Sarawak DUN has approved the 17 new seats through the delineation exercise,” she said this when met after officiating the Kurma Gergasi Chef Challenge 2026 held here today (Aug 31).
Sharifah Hasidah, who is also Samariang assemblywoman, expressed her appreciation to the EC for proceeding with the display.
“Alhamdulillah, finally the EC has announced that the display will be held from tomorrow (Sept 1), and this is something we certainly welcome. We thank the EC,” she said.
On July 7, 2025, the Sarawak DUN approved the proposal to add 17 seats through the State Legislative Assembly (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025.
The Bill stated that the last delineation exercise in Sarawak was conducted in 2015, while the number of voters in the State had increased significantly since then.
The proposed addition of 17 State constituencies is expected to be a significant development in Sarawak’s political landscape, with the total number of DUN seats set to increase to 99 from the current 82.
Meanwhile, Sharifah Hasidah said the inaugural Kurma Gergasi Chef Challenge in Kuching was a good initiative to highlight the nutritional benefits and versatility of dates.
She said dates were a versatile ingredient that could be used in various dishes and prepared using different cooking methods.
“Today (Aug 31), I saw 14 chefs competing and using giant dates to prepare various types of dishes, including Western, Thai, Malay and Chinese cuisine.
“This is a unique cooking competition that deserves to be continued in the future. I would like to congratulate all parties involved in forming strategic partnerships and collaborations to make the programme a success,” she said.
