By Yvonne T
KUCHING, Nov 24: Increasing the number of Cabinet members will ensure fairer distribution of development across both urban and rural Sarawak, said Katibas assemblyman Lidam Assan as he voiced support for the Constitution of Sarawak (Amendment) Ordinance 2025.
“More ministers with clear mandates will strengthen accountability, improve coordination across sectors, and ensure fair distribution of development across both urban and rural areas,” he highlighted, while debating the bill, which was tabled by Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abang Abdul Karim, at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
He also pointed out that a broader Cabinet enables better representation of Sarawak’s vast and diverse geography, particularly for rural and remote constituencies that require dedicated attention.
“Additional ministries will ensure that oversight, service delivery, and community engagement reach every corner of the State. This is in line with our commitment that no one is left behind—not the longhouses of the interior, not the isolated settlements deep within our borders.”
He cited Kapit as an example, describing it as 6,331 square kilometres with a population of just 4,981, averaging seven people per square kilometre.
“Without focused ministerial attention, such areas risk lagging behind in the development drive. Governance must match the realities of our landmass and demographic distribution,” he said.
Lidam said the proposal must also be seen in the context of Sarawak’s expanding development priorities, noting that the State’s transformation agenda, under the post-COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030), has become more complex to be handled by the current number of Cabinet members whose portfolios have often overlapped.
“Capacity must match ambition,” he pointed out.
“As we move further along this transformative path, it is increasingly evident that the scale and complexity of our development agenda demand a government architecture that is equally robust, agile, and specialised.
“The proposal to increase the number of Cabinet members must be viewed squarely within this context for more coordinated policy and profitable outcomes,” he added.
He further emphasised that the nature of Sarawak’s new economy—from digital transformation, infrastructure expansion, renewable energy, technical education, advanced manufacturing, rare earth processing, semiconductor development, data centre growth and artificial intelligence—requires specialist ministers who can focus on emerging sectors without the burden of multiple portfolios.
Describing the amendment as more than an administrative adjustment, Lidam said it is a structural reform designed to modernise the machinery of government in line with Sarawak’s development trajectory.
Of note, the the Constitution of Sarawak (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 seeks to revise provisions relating to the number of ministers who may be appointed to the Sarawak Cabinet. – DayakDaily
