Additional four more ministers is both reasonable and necessary, Karim says when tabling amendment to State Constitution

KUCHING, Nov 24 2025: An increase in the number of members of State Cabinet by an additional four is both reasonable and necessary, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Ministet Datuk Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told the State Legislative Assembly (SLA) today.

Abdul Karim: Several ministers are currently entrusted with multiple portfolios 

He said the increase will strengthen the state’s executive machinery, enhance policy coordination and ensure that ministerial portfolios can be distributed evenly and ministerial duties be implemented effectively.

“What is more important is that, it will also enable the Sarawak government to respond more effectively to the needs of the people and to deliver services to the rakyat with greater focus and attention across all key sectors,” he said when tabling the Constitution of the state of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill 2025 at the SLA.

“It must also be acknowledged that several ministers are currently entrusted with multiple portfolios, resulting in a heavier administrative responsibilities and increased demands on ministers to manage a wider range of duties across key sectors,” Karim said.

With the increase, the State Cabinet will have 15 members including the premier. 

Karim noted that the present structure of the State Cabinet comprises of the premier and 10 members, adding that this is made in accordance with Article 6(3) of the State Constitution, which states that State Cabinet consists the premier; and not more than ten nor less than four other members from among the members of SLA.

He said SLAi had, during its Special Sitting in July this year, passed the Members of SLA (Composition of Members) Ordinance, 2025 (Chapter 89).

“This Ordinance came into force on August 8, 2025, thereby increasing the number of members of the august House from 82 to 99,” he said.

He added with the increase in the number of constituencies and administrative areas, the present composition of the State Cabinet is no longer proportionate to the state’s expanding governance structure.

In winding up the debate on the bill, Karim said the State Cabinet must continue to evolve in step with Sarawak’s growth and the aspirations of its people.

He said the proposed amendment is a reflection of the state government’s commitment to

strengthen the capacity of the Sarawak government so that it can better serve the people and meet the evolving needs of every part of Sarawak.

The present structure of the State Cabinet was constituted following an amendment to the State Constitution on Nov 4 1995.

 

 

Elderly man killed in an early morning fire that destroys a house

SARIKEI,  Nov 16 2025: An elderly man was killed when an early morning fire  completely destroyed a house where he and four other persons were occupying.

Caption: An early morning fire that destroys a house in Sarikei
 

His charred remains were found under a pile of burnt wood in a bedroom by the firemen about 2.20am early today.

According to the Sarikei station of the Fire and Rescue Department, four other occupants of the house managed to escape the fire.

In a statement, the station operators commander Hilary Pitry Ambit said the fire also destroyed two vehicles and a store room.

He said the station received an emergency call about 12.33am about a house at Jalan Minah had caught fire.

He said the firemen in two engines arrived at the scene about 10 minutes later.

The fire was brought under control about 1.25am.

Three Sarawak parties fielding candidates in the 17th Sabah election

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 15 2025: Three Sarawak-based parties have fielded candidates in the 17^th Sabah election at the nomination day today while polling is set for Nov 29.

Former journalist Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (GRS-PBS) waving at his supporters outside the nomination centre. He is defending his Kiulu seat in the Sabah election

Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) will contest in 14 seats while Parti Bangsa Malaysia and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak are each putting in three candidates.

The 17^th Sabah election saw the largest number of candidates at 596 compared to 447 candidates in the 16th Sabah state election in 2020.

Parties contesting in the 17^th election at a glance

Independent candidates - 74

Parti Warisan (Warisan) - 73

Parti Impian Sabah (PIS)  -72

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)- 55

Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) - 46

 Barisan Nasional (BN) - 45

Perikatan Nasional (PN) - 42

Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) - 40

United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) - 25

Pakatan Harapan (PH)- 22.

Parti Kebangsaan Sabah (PKS) -20

Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (Anak Negeri) -17

Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah (PPRS) - 16

Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) - 14

Parti Rumpun Sabah (Rumpun) - 7,

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) - 6

Sabah Peace Party (SPP) - 5

Perjuangan Rakyat (PR) - 5

Pertubuhan Gemilang Anak Sabah (GAS) - 3

Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) - 3

Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi) - 3

Parti Pejuang Tanahair (Pejuang) - 1

Parti Bersatu Sasa Malaysia (Bersama) - 1

Pertubuhan Perpaduan Rakyat Kebangsaan Sabah (Perpaduan) - 1

525 male candidates and 71 female candidates.

The oldest candidate  - Uling @ Thomas Anggan, 86, of PKS,  in Bingkor seat

The youngest candidate -  Mohd Syafiq Iqhmal Saharudin, 24, also from PKS.

Tulid state constituency - 14 candidates

Bandau, Tamparuli, Inanam, and Kapayan -13 candidates

Banggi and Moyog - 12 candidates

Bengkoka, Tanjong Kapor, Pintasan, Karambunai, Tanjung Keramat and Balung -  11 candidates

10 seats have nine-cornered fights, eight seats have eight-cornered fights, 10 seats (seven-cornered fight), 13 seats (six-cornered fights), eight seats (five-cornered fights) and two seats with four-cornered fights.