A ONE-DAY sitting. No Bill in sight – yet. But the air is thick with anticipation.
When news broke that the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) would convene a special one-day sitting on July 7, the usual calm in political circles gave way to a wave of speculation.
While DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar confirmed that no official Bill had been received at the time of the announcement, he acknowledged that a notice had been issued under Standing Order 8(3), at the request of the Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
This has naturally stirred public interest – especially with talk of redelineation, Cabinet restructuring, and Sarawak’s push for greater representation in Parliament all making their rounds.
The redelineation angle
High on the list of speculation is the possibility of redrawing Sarawak’s electoral boundaries. The last redelineation exercise for state constituencies took place in 2015. Constitutionally, such exercises can only happen every eight years – and 2025 fits that timeline.
Currently, Sarawak has 82 state constituencies. But with continued population shifts and rapid urbanisation, disparities have grown with some constituencies now significantly more populous than others.
As such, many believe a redelineation exercise would be timely to ensure more equitable representation – particularly in fast-growing areas such as Kuching, Miri and Bintulu. Words on the ground are that at least 17 new seats may be added, potentially bringing the total to 99.
Should this be part of the agenda, it would mark an important step in aligning Sarawak’s electoral landscape with its demographic realities.
Cabinet expansion?
Another issue quietly circulating is the possibility of amending state laws to allow for an expansion of the Sarawak Cabinet – potentially increasing its size from the current 10 members to 12 or more.
While unconfirmed, such a move could signal an administrative recalibration aimed at addressing new and emerging sectors. It may also reflect the state government’s intent to distribute portfolios more effectively or broaden leadership representation across its coalition.
If this takes place, it would likely be viewed as part of the state’s broader efforts to enhance governance in line with its development priorities and commitment to responsive administration.
The 35% representation issue
Yet another area observers believe may surface during the sitting is Sarawak’s long-standing pursuit of a 35% representation quota in the Dewan Rakyat – an issue deeply rooted in the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
The argument is that the Bornean states, Sabah and Sarawak, should collectively hold at least one-third of the seats in Parliament to safeguard their rights and ensure a meaningful voice in national policymaking.
While this demand isn’t new, recent developments suggest it may be gaining momentum as inter-governmental discussions on federal-state relations continue to evolve.
This issue received renewed traction when the Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63, and Federal-State Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, reaffirmed the Sarawak government’s unwavering commitment to champion and advocate the cause.
She noted that discussions related to the MA63 framework, including Sarawak’s demand for 35% representation in Parliament, remain active. The next meeting, she said will be scheduled by the main committee overseeing negotiations.
“Sarawak remains steadfast in its pursuit of key unresolved matters under the agreement. Negotiations on MA63 are indeed ongoing and continuous. We are awaiting confirmation on the next meeting,” she said.
Should this matter be raised in the July 7 sitting, it would signal Sarawak’s firm yet measured intent to assert its rightful place within the federation – not through confrontation, but through structured dialogue and legislative engagement.
Final thought
Whatever the true agenda of the one-day sitting may be, one thing is clear: it reflects the state government’s responsiveness to evolving political and administrative needs.
Whether the topics include redelineation, Cabinet expansion, or parliamentary representation, such discussions are part of a larger effort to ensure that Sarawak remains aligned with current realities – and future-ready.
While the public naturally awaits more details, it is worth appreciating that steps like these are part of a broader vision to strengthen governance and autonomy in the state. In due course, clarity will follow. Until then, July 7 stands as a date to watch – possibly marking the beginning of a new phase in Sarawak’s legislative journey.
Aden Nagrace is the Editor-in-Chief of Sarawak Tribune. The views expressed here, however, are his own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. He can be reached at drnagrace@gmail.com.