By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, July 7: Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), through the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) redelineation committee, has proposed eight new Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) seats and one new parliamentary seat in the Tamin and Selangau area to ensure fair distribution of the 17 new DUS seats across the State.
Tamin assemblyman Ir Christopher Gira Sambang revealed the proposals while debating in support of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2025, which seeks to increase the number of elected members in the DUS from 82 to 99.
The proposed DUS seats include Bukit Kelankang (carved from Bukit Begunan and Simanggang), Mapai or Sibu Jaya (carved from Ngemah and Dudong), Bukit Arip (carved from Tamin and Kakus), Tubau (carved from Murum and Kakus), Pengejau (carved from Bekenu and Marudi), Medamit (carved from Batu Danau), Anau (carved from Jepak and Kakus), and Sungai Plan (carved from Samalaju).
The proposed parliamentary seat is Bukit Buan, to be carved from the existing Kakus and Tamin areas within the Selangau parliamentary boundary.
“These proposals are based on voter distribution, geographical remoteness, and the need for improved representation and development planning,” he said.
Gira further noted, “Let me illustrate this with my own constituency, Tamin, which spans over 3,472 square kilometres and serves more than 23,000 voters, including many in rugged and hard-to-reach areas.
Likewise, the Selangau parliamentary constituency now covers over 9,193 km² and encompasses more than 45,700 voters, making effective representation and delivery of services increasingly challenging.”
He further stressed that the Bill is not merely an administrative exercise but a move aligned with equitable development, good governance, and the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
“The addition of 17 state seats represents a critical recalibration of our democratic structure. I sincerely hope that a corresponding increase in parliamentary seats for Sarawak will soon be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat,” he asserted.
“This is not merely about numbers—it is about constitutional justice and regional balance.”
Gira also underscored the importance of improved representation in addressing the strain on service delivery in remote constituencies, and how this initiative supports the objectives of the Post Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
“The increase in elected representatives will ensure a more equitable voice for all communities, better outreach and service delivery, and stronger democratic accountability and local empowerment,” he said.
Calling for unity in supporting the Bill, Gira concluded: “Let this House be a mirror of our people’s voices, from the hills of Ulu Baram to the shores of Tanjung Manis.”
Quoting Abraham Lincoln, he added: “The ballot is stronger than the bullet.”
“Today, we choose to strengthen the voices behind that ballot. Let us take this bold step forward—to ensure that no kampung, no rumah panjang, no community is left behind.” — DayakDaily
