Analyst: Sarawak’s push for more parliamentary seats may not be smooth

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, March 9: Sarawak’s push to increase its representation in the federal Parliament may not be as straightforward as expanding seats in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS), says political analyst Datuk Prof Dr Jayum Jawan.

He said while the proposed increase in DUS seats from 82 to 99 reflects the need for wider representation amid population growth, the process of adding parliamentary seats would be more complex.

“While both increases would need Parliament to pass, the State seats do not have any implication for federal politics.

“Meanwhile, the move to add parliamentary seats does, as it would increase the role that Sarawak would bring into the federal Parliament,” he said in a statement today.

He also suggested that recent developments at the federal level could indicate potential challenges ahead.

Jayum pointed to the recent failure of the Madani government to pass a bill limiting the prime minister’s tenure to two terms, saying the setback shows that major legislative changes may face difficulties in securing sufficient support.

“This could be the Madani government’s chilling reminder to Sarawak that the increase in the federal seats it sought in relation to Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) may not go that smoothly.

“The Madani Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) holds the key, and that I would argue is the underlying message to Sarawak and Sabah as well,” he added.

At the same time, Jayum described the proposed increase in Sarawak’s State seats as generally positive, saying it reflects the need for broader representation.

Responding to a leaked 98-slide document detailing the proposed distribution of the additional 17 seats, he noted that it appears to broadly mirror Sarawak’s demographic composition.

According to him, the Malay and Melanau communities, who together account for about 28 per cent of Sarawak’s population, would receive seven additional seats — five and two respectively. The Dayaks, who make up about 45 per cent of the population, would also gain seven seats, comprising four Iban, two Bidayuh, and one Orang Ulu constituencies. Meanwhile, the Chinese community, which accounts for about 29 per cent of the population, would receive three additional seats.

“The racial nature of the constituencies will continue to polarise politics, although Sabah and even the Peninsular appear to be moving away from that model,” he said.

He also noted that all Malay and Melanau-majority seats are expected to go to Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), while the Dayak seats would be divided among PBB’s Pesaka wing (three), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) (three), and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) (one).

“All Chinese seats are expected to go to Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP). This pattern persists because Iban politicians in Pesaka, PRS, and PDP have little say, as all want to please the master planner,” he pointed out.

Jayum also argued that Dayaks have historically been at a disadvantage in seat distribution exercises since the 1960s. He noted that they held a one-seat majority in the first legislature, but that advantage gradually eroded with each successive review.

“This is because Iban assemblymen either do not speak for their community or are less informed and more focused on longhouse politics. They are rarely heard speaking up for their people.

“One has to admire the Malay leadership for their success in carving out a Malay majority in Nangka from what was once a Chinese-majority city some time ago,” he emphasised.

Jayum is a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, adjunct professor at the Institute of Borneo Studies, UNIMAS, and Fellow of the Institution of Malay Rulers Chair, UiTM. — DayakDaily

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