Analysts say larger number of seats would make it tougher for Opposition to win
KUCHING: The increase in Sarawak’s elected state representatives from 82 to 99 will consolidate the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) hold on power, says a political analyst.
Prof James Chin from the University of Tasmania said the large number of new seats would make it even more difficult for the Opposition to win a state election due to the dominance of GPS.
“With more seats at 99, this means the Opposition has to win 50 seats to replace the current government,” he said when contacted.
GPS secured a landslide victory in the last state election in 2021, winning 76 of 82 seats.
Chin said the increase in seats would also benefit Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the backbone of GPS.
“If you look at the distribution of seats, especially for PBB, the GPS-led government will want to carve out new Malay/Melanau-majority seats in areas where traditionally they don’t have seats,” he said, adding that he expected these new seats to be created in the urban centres of Sibu, Miri and Kuching.
The Sarawak Legislative Assembly passed the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025 at a special one-day sitting yesterday.
The Bill, tabled by state Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Hamzah, proposed an increase of 17 elected representatives to bring the total to 99.
Abdul Karim said the redelineation will enhance accessibility to government, ensure the needs of the rakyat are more efficiently and effectively addressed, and improve service delivery.
He also said the proposal was in line with Article 113(2)(ii) of the Federal Constitution, which allows a review of electoral boundaries after an interval of not less than eight years.
He said given the vast geographical expanse of Sarawak and the extensive areas that assemblymen representing rural constituencies must cover, the proposed increase is both reasonable and necessary.
The last redelineation exercise in Sarawak took place in 2015, creating 11 new constituencies.
This followed the passing of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill in November 2014, increasing its membership from 71 to 82.
Universiti Malaya’s Prof Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said PBB is expected to get 10 of the 17 new seats, as it is the dominant party in GPS with 47 of the current 82 seats.
He said the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) would likely get three new seats, while two seats each would go to Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).
“PBB has been the backbone of the state government for over 50 years.
“Allocating more seats to PBB can be seen as recognising its role and positive record in governing the state,” said Awang Azman.
Abdul Karim said the Bill is a constitutional exercise done in the spirit of justice.
“This is not about redelineation of constituencies but increasing the number of representatives in this House from the present 82 to 99,” Abdul Karim added when winding up the debate on the Bill.
Abdul Karim also said the state government had no say in the redelineation of the 17 new state constituencies as this was the purview of the Election Commission.
He dismissed allegations by the Opposition that the seat increase was meant to strengthen GPS.
Persatuan Pemangkin Daya Masyarakat (ROSE) said the Bill’s passing would have an effect on future elections, including the next state election due by 2027.
It called on voters to participate in the process as provided for in the Federal Constitution.
