Asfia (centre), flanked by Deputy Speaker Dato Idris Buang (left) and DUN secretary Nur Azhar Bujang, speaks at the press conference. – Information Department photo

KUCHING (May 9): Sarawak will go ahead with preparations for its state election using the existing 82-seat structure, as uncertainty remains over whether the proposed expansion to 99 seats can be implemented in time, said State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.

He said months have passed without any indication from the Election Commission (EC) on the status of the delineation exercise involving the 17 additional seats approved by the State Legislative Assembly.

“Although constitutionally the SPR is within the time frame completing their job, they must be mindful that Sarawak is preparing for a State Election this year.

“Months have passed with no word whether the 17 new seats are in time for the election this year. Whether in time. Months have passed and we have not heard whether in time or not,” he told reporters after chairing the pre-council meeting ahead of the DUN sitting at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu headquarters here.

He was responding to questions on the status of the additional seats and whether the upcoming state election would be held using the current 82-seat configuration or the proposed 99 seats.

Mohamad Asfia said the Bill on the additional seats had already been passed by the DUN on July 7, 2025, and could not be reopened under Standing Order 32(3), which states that any matter already concluded in the current session cannot be reconsidered except through a motion for rescission.

“It shall be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific question upon which the Dewan has come to a conclusion during the current session except upon substantive motion for rescission,” he said.

He added that the EC must complete the necessary delineation process before the new seats can take effect, including boundary finalisation, public display, and approval procedures.

Mohamad Asfia also noted that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) currently has no representation in the EC.

“The GPS has no member in the SPR. GPS has no representation. I was informed that a lone member from Sarawak is not from GPS. The GPS is the voices of the voiceless,” he said.

He added that the EC should adopt a more dynamic approach in carrying out its responsibilities.

“The SPR should be dynamic, full of verve and vitality. In today’s fast-moving world one has to move forward in order to stand still,” he said.

The proposed increase from 82 to 99 state seats still requires completion of federal-level processes and the EC delineation exercise before it can be implemented, leaving open the possibility that the upcoming state election will be held under the current seat configuration.

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