By Amanda L
KUCHING, Nov 24: Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap Yau Sin has backed the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill 2025, stressing that expanding the Cabinet is essential to handle the State’s growing administrative responsibilities and development agenda, particularly in rural areas, interior regions, and renewable energy initiatives.
According to him, arguments claiming Sarawak does not need a larger Cabinet due to its population size do not reflect the actual realities of governing the State.
“The State’s immense geography, dispersed rural communities, and the scale of development programmes across urban and remote areas require sustained ministerial oversight,” he said while debating the Bill, which was tabled by Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting today.
He said that limiting the Cabinet to ten ministers has forced some ministers to manage two or three major portfolios at once, each involving multi-agency coordination, regulatory oversight, policy development, large-scale budgeting, and intensive stakeholder engagement.
“Such arrangements are no longer practical if Sarawak is to meet its development targets, maintain momentum in renewable energy and hydrogen initiatives, expand the digital and creative economies, and ensure effective delivery of rural development programmes,” he added.
He clarified the distinct roles of ministers, deputy ministers, and political secretaries, pointing out that only ministers hold independent decision-making power and full accountability, while civil servants implement policies under ministerial direction. Political secretaries provide essential support but cannot replace Cabinet-level leadership.
Addressing concerns over future Cabinet reductions, Yap said the Constitution allows flexibility, stressing that the expansion is about governance capacity, not political enlargement.
“This is a responsible step forward, grounded in practical necessity and aligned with the future we are building for our State,” he said, urging all assemblymembers to support the Bill. —DayakDaily
