BINTULU – The Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Bintulu Branch has voiced strong support for the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly’s (DUN) decision to increase the number of seats to 99, hailing it as a significant step in strengthening democratic representation and ensuring more inclusive development across the state.
Branch Chairman and Tanjong Batu Assemblyman, Johnny Pang Leong Ming, described the move as timely and justified, especially given Sarawak’s vast geography and growing population.
“Sarawak’s land size is almost equal to Peninsular Malaysia. While the peninsula has 505 state seats, Sarawak’s increase to 99 is fair and necessary for balanced national representation,” he said in a statement.
Strengthening Representation, Reducing Disparities
Johnny Pang emphasised that the expansion goes beyond party politics, serving as a strategic move to enhance the people’s voice at both the state and federal levels.
He urged Sarawakians not to be swayed by political rhetoric, reminding them that the addition of seats aligns with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which calls for Sabah and Sarawak to jointly hold one-third of the total parliamentary seats – a crucial measure to uphold the rights of Borneo states within the Federal Constitution.
“This move not only reflects political fairness but also enables more equitable allocation of resources, especially between urban and rural areas,” he said.
Empowering Youth & Local Communities
The SUPP leader also noted that the new seats would open the door for youth participation in politics, offering a platform to groom emerging leaders.
“With more constituencies, we create opportunities for young talent to emerge, ensuring a strong leadership pipeline for Sarawak’s future,” he said.
He added that better constituency delineation would improve service delivery, as elected representatives can now be closer to underserved or developing communities.
“This ensures local concerns are heard more clearly and addressed more efficiently,” Johnny Pang said.
A Step Forward for Democracy and Development
From a development standpoint, he said the increased number of assembly seats would enable more balanced infrastructure and project funding, with direct impact on constituents.
“This isn’t just a political move; it’s an investment in a fairer, more developed and competitive Sarawak,” he concluded.
