Abang Jo stays tight-lipped on timing of Sarawak’s increase in state seats

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg maintained silence on the timing of the proposed increase in the number of state assembly seats. He clarified that the proposed rise in seats did not necessarily imply the next election would need to be held with 99 seats. Abang Johari stated that the figure could remain at 82 or remain at 99, depending on circumstances.

When questioned about the recent developments regarding the addition of 17 state seats, which would raise the total from 82 to 99, Abang Johari did not provide any specifics. In July of the previous year, the state assembly had passed a bill to introduce 17 new state seats, pending approval from the Election Commission for redelineation.

Last month, Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof had indicated that the proposal to add 17 seats to the state assembly was unlikely to be presented in the Dewan Rakyat this year, as it required several processes under the Election Commission, including public display exercises for objections or feedback. Recently, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Nancy Shukri and Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi had urged the Cabinet to consider Sarawak's plans for an additional 17 state seats.