GPS leader irked by delay in Parliament endorsing new Sarawak seats

PETALING JAYA: A Gabungan Parti Sarawak leader has criticised what he described as a lack of urgency in securing Parliament’s endorsement of a proposal to add 17 new seats to the state legislative assembly.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the proposal only required Parliament’s endorsement as it involved state constituencies and required no changes to parliamentary seats, The Borneo Post reported.

He said Parliament had already sat three times since the Sarawak state assembly unanimously approved the motion last July, but no endorsement had been obtained.

“We are not very happy. I have to admit, I am not very happy about it,” he was quoted as saying at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2026 yesterday.

Karim said the timeline for endorsement this year was now tight, given that Sarawak is expected to hold its state election by year-end.

“We are already entering July and only have a few months left before the end of the year. Sarawak has to hold its state election at least by the end of the year,” he said.

Karim’s remarks come after deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said the proposal is unlikely to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat this year.

Fadillah said the matter must go through several processes and procedures under the Election Commission, including public display exercises to allow for objections or feedback.

In July last year, the state assembly passed a bill to add 17 new state seats, increasing the total to 99, subject to the redelineation process by the EC.