The state legislature in Sarawak is stalled while awaiting the Election Commission’s official endorsement of its proposal to create 17 additional state seats, said Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar today. Here’s the breakdown:

1. Background
• At present, Sarawak is divided into 82 state constituencies.
• The state administration presented a plan in mid-2022 to raise the total to 99 seats, referencing demographic shifts and rising population.
• In line with the Federal Constitution, the EC held consultations and prepared its findings, which were laid before Parliament towards the end of last year.

2. The Speaker’s Update
• Mohamad Asfia informed the assembly that the EC’s official sign-off, delivered through a Federal Gazette notice, has yet to be issued. Until then, the new seats lack legal standing.
• He added that after gazette publication, the extra 17 constituencies will take effect at the next state election without requiring another vote in Sarawak.

3. Why the Delay?
• The EC must finalize the precise boundaries and verify adherence to legal standards regarding voter population and territorial continuity.
• The federal body’s workload, including other redistricting duties and the recent general election, has delayed this Sarawak matter.

4. What’s Next
• The final administrative step is the EC’s gazette notification. Once this is released, Sarawak can finalize the new voter list and gear up for the larger legislature.
• The Speaker called for patience, noting the state government is poised to roll out the new seats immediately upon receiving formal approval.

5. Wider Implications
• These extra seats are projected to alter Sarawak’s political map, improving representation in burgeoning urban centers while still reflecting rural locales.
• Opposition factions and analysts have pressed the EC to conclude the process openly to prevent any allegations of gerrymandering.

In summary, Sarawak has fulfilled its role: the expansion was greenlit, the EC prepared its report, and now all that’s left is the commission’s formal gazette entry. After that, the state can proceed with 99 constituencies in the forthcoming election.

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