{
  "id": 15193379,
  "title": "No opposition, no problem: backbenchers will keep check, says Karim",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/no-opposition-no-problem-backbenchers-will-keep-check-says-karim",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T12:18:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/17/no-opposition-no-problem-backbenchers-will-keep-check-says-karim"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Sarawak's current state assembly, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak party holds 80 out of the 82 seats, with the remaining two seats belonging to the DAP party. The state is set to hold elections by December. State Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah stated that if the GPS party secures all 82 seats in the next election, backbenchers from the Gabungan Parti Sarawak will act as a check on the state government, similar to an opposition role. Karim explained that the GPS government has its own checks and balances, including the ombudsman unit and other mechanisms, to ensure accountability. While the GPS government maintains adequate checks and balances, there have been concerns about the lack of a strong opposition. Sarawak became the first state to establish an ombudsman unit in November 2023, following the passage of the Sarawak Ombudsman Bill at the state assembly. However, in 2025, DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen criticized the state government for its delays and lack of transparency when presenting the unit's report.",
  "summary": "Sarawak minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says state government backbenchers will act like the opposition in the state assembly should GPS win all seats.",
  "key_points": [
    "Gabungan Parti Sarawak holds 80 of 82 seats in Sarawak state assembly.",
    "State Minister Abdul Karim states backbenchers will act as opposition if GPS secures all seats.",
    "Sarawak established first ombudsman unit in November 2023."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "No opposition, no problem: backbenchers will keep check, says Karim",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/no-opposition-no-problem-backbenchers-will-keep-check-says-karim-15199564",
        "published": "2026-10-17T12:18:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}