Leaked 98-slide document claims 17 new S’wak seats: PBB 10, SUPP & PRS three each, PDP one

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, March 9: A purported 98-slide presentation detailing the proposed creation and distribution of 17 new Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) seats has surfaced, outlining a blueprint for redrawing the State’s electoral map.

The document, shared with DayakDaily by a source, proposes 17 new State constituencies and 15 parliamentary constituencies, increasing the number of State seats from 82 to 99 and parliamentary seats from 31 to 46.

The proposed 17 new State constituencies are: Jagoi (under P192 Mas Gading); Sejinjang (P193 Santubong); Serapi and Semarak (P194 Petra Jaya); Seledah (P196 Stampin); Sungai Serin (P198 Puncak Borneo); Susur Jambu (P206 Tanjung Manis); Tanahmas (P211 Lanang); Sungai Merah and Bukit Kemuyang (P212 Sibu); Oya (P213 Mukah); Bukit Arip (P214 Selangau); Melekun (P215 Kapit); Tukau (P218 Sibuti); Permaisuri and Tudan (P219 Miri); and Usun Apau (P220 Baram).

The proposal also includes name changes for several existing constituencies: Opar to Serayan, Tasik Biru to Singai, Tarat to Bung Sadung, Semop to Muara Lassa, Jemoreng to Matu, Bawang Assan to Rassau, Lambir to Pantai Tusan, Jepak to Jepak Jaya, Senadin to Riam, and Ba’Kelalan to Gunong Murod.

Although the document does not provide details for the parliamentary constituencies, the addition of the new State seats means that several parliamentary areas would contain four to five State constituencies each. If no adjustments are made, this could place additional administrative and representational burdens on these parliamentary divisions.

In terms of ethnic composition, among the 17 new constituencies, seven are majority Melayu/Melanau/Kedayan (five Malay, two Melanau, none Kedayan); seven are Dayak (four Iban, two Bidayuh, one Orang Ulu); and three are Chinese-majority.

The document also outlines a proposed allocation of the new seats among Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component parties. Under the proposal, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) would receive 10 seats, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) three, Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) three, and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) one.

Breaking it down further, PBB’s Bumiputera wing would cover Sejinjang, Serapi, Semarak, Susur Jambu, Bukit Kemuyang, Oya, and Permaisuri, while PBB’s Pesaka wing would take Sungai Serin, Melekun, and Usun Apau. SUPP is proposed to hold Seledah, Tanahmas, and Sungai Merah, PRS – Bukit Arip, Tukau, and Tudan, and PDP – Jagoi.

If the expansion is approved, the composition of DUS seats within GPS would change as follows: PBB from 47 to 57 seats, SUPP from 18 to 21, PRS from 11 to 14, and PDP from six to seven.

The slides are believed to be linked to discussions surrounding Sarawak’s plan to increase the number of DUS seats beyond the current 82. On July 7, 2025, the State assembly passed a bill to increase the number of State constituencies to 99, although the move requires approval from the Malaysian Parliament before it can take effect.

However, the origin and authenticity of the presentation could not be independently verified, and it remains unclear whether it forms part of any official proposal.

Electoral boundary reviews and seat distributions in Malaysia fall under the purview of the Election Commission (EC), which conducts redelineation exercises in accordance with constitutional procedures. Any official proposal would need to go through the commission’s formal review process before implementation. — DayakDaily

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