From 71 to 82 in next election

Bill to increase number of state seats passed after heated debates, Sarawak set to have largest state assembly

Abang Johari (fifth left) on his way out of the DUN building with other members of the august house after the session adjourned yesterday.

KUCHING: Sarawak will have the highest number of state constituencies in the country with the passing of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill, 2014 at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday.

Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said the bill, which proposed to increase the number of state assembly members from the current 71 to 82, was due to the growing number of voting population consequent upon the accelerating pace of development and extension of economic activities in the state since the last review of electoral constituencies in 2005.

“Constitutionally, electoral constituencies are reviewed at the interval of not less than eight years. The increase in the number of state constituencies to 82 is a fair reflection of the rate of increase in electorate in the state.

“It is a reasonable number in terms of providing adequate and effective democratic representation for our people in this august house,” he said when tabling the bill.

Abang Johari said that when the first direct election was held in 1969, the number of state assemblymen was 48 before it increased to 56 in 1985, 62 in 1995, and to its current number of 71 in 2005.

“Having regard to the physical size to the state and the vast areas that some assemblymen from rural constituencies have to serve, the proposed increase in the number of elected representatives for DUN is justified and necessary to provide effective representation of the people and to enable the elected representatives to serve the ‘rakyat’ better,” he said.

Abang Johari said the bill would be enforced on a date to be fixed by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri in time for the next state election.

“In other words, the new composition of this house will take effect at the next state election when the voters will elect 82 assemblymen to this august house,” he said.

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