By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Aug 11: Selangau’s electorate has grown by more than 18,000 voters since the 12th Sarawak State Election, strengthening calls for a new Bukit Arip State Legislative Assembly (DUS) seat.
The Selangau parliamentary constituency now has 49,266 voters, compared with 31,097 in 2021, an increase of 18,169 voters over five years.
The growth is particularly pronounced in its two existing DUS seats, with Tamin recording 25,311 voters compared with 16,681 in 2021 while Kakus has grown from 14,416 to 23,955.
In a recent statement, Persatuan Anak Tatau (PERANTAU) chairman Mohammad Rizal Julaihi said the increase should be considered alongside Selangau’s vast 9,193-square-kilometre area in any future review of electoral boundaries.
“These figures show very significant growth over the past five years and should be taken into account in future electoral boundary planning,” he said.
Rizal said the case for another DUS could become more pressing if the growth continues over the next five years, particularly given the challenge of delivering government services and maintaining close representation across the geographically large constituency.
The constituency also has a sizeable young electorate, with 24,538 voters aged between 18 and 39.
For this group, Rizal said a new Bukit Arip seat could provide closer access to elected representatives while allowing issues affecting rural communities to be raised and addressed more promptly.
“Young people want their voices to be closer to their leaders. They want issues and needs in rural areas to be conveyed more quickly and given due attention.
“With the growing number of voters and the vast size of the area, the creation of a new Bukit Arip DUS could bring elected representatives closer to the community,” he said.
PERANTAU is urging the Election Commission (EC) to consider the proposal as part of its review and recommendations on the redelineation of Sarawak’s electoral boundaries.
Rizal said the proposal should remain on the agenda even if the seat could not be created before the next State election.
“Our hope is that the proposed Bukit Arip DUS will be seriously considered in the interest of the people and rural development.
“If it cannot be realised in the next State election, let it remain an important agenda for the next redelineation exercise and subsequent State election,” he said.
The proposal has also received support from youth leaders in Selangau, including Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Youth Supreme Council assistant secretary Murphy Nyegang, PBB Tamin branch Youth chief Frankie Gamang, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Tamin branch Youth chief Cr Nyireng Saleh and PBB Kakus branch Youth chief Dr Jawing Chunggat.
If a new seat is not created, Selangau would continue to be represented by only two DUS seats despite its large geographical area and rapidly expanding electorate.
The proposed Bukit Arip seat is therefore being put forward as a response to Selangau’s population growth and the need for closer representation and government service delivery, particularly across its rural communities. — DayakDaily
