By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 18: Sarawak’s proposal to increase the number of elected representatives in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) from 82 to 99 remains stalled at the federal level amid what a Sarawak minister described as “politics”.
Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said it has been a year since the Sarawak legislature passed the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025, which sought to increase the number of elected members from 82 to 99.
“Unfortunately, our intention and efforts at the State level have been stalled in Parliament.
“Parliament is playing politics as well because it is not controlled by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). It is controlled by Pakatan Harapan, and they too are playing politics,” he said during the Rindok Ati Carnival 2026 in Bekenu today, as shown in a live broadcast on his official Facebook page.
Abdul Karim, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Information chief, claimed the proposed increase in DUS seats was necessary to ensure Sarawak’s various communities had a stronger voice in the State legislature, given the State’s diverse ethnic composition.
He said Sarawak’s 34 ethnic groups should have opportunities to be represented in the decision-making process, including through elected representatives.
“When we planned to increase the number of seats in the DUS from 82 to 99, our intention was that with the additional seats, more ethnic groups would be able to sit in the DUS to represent their areas as well as their respective communities,” he said.
Abdul Karim suggested that there could be concerns that increasing the number of State seats would eventually lead to an increase in Sarawak’s parliamentary representation.
“When they see Sarawak becoming bigger and more advanced, they ask, ‘What is Sarawak’s intention?’
“Perhaps if the number of State seats is increased, it will eventually lead to more parliamentary seats as well. So they become afraid,” he pointed out.
The Sarawak Legislative Assembly had on July 7, 2025 passed the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025, which seeks to increase the number of elected members from 82 to 99.
The Bill, tabled by Abdul Karim, was passed unanimously by State lawmakers and marked the first step towards expanding the State assembly.
The proposed increase, however, still requires federal approval before the additional seats can be implemented, leaving the matter pending in Parliament. — DayakDaily
