KUCHING, Nov 24 2025: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has expressed its opposition to a move by the state government to increase the number of ministers by another four that would bring the total to 15 including the premier.
Its president Voon Lee Shan said the plan to expand the Sarawak Cabinet is nothing short of irresponsible and self-serving.
“At a time when Sarawakians are demanding better roads, clean water, reliable healthcare, and stronger economic opportunities, the government’s priority appears to be creating more political posts for its own allies,” Voon said when responding to the tabling of the Constitution amendment bill that sought to increase the number of ministers.
He said Sarawak has a population of about 2.7 million, yet the state government wants to grow its Cabinet to 15, giving Sarawakians one minister for every 168,000 people, saying that it is one of the most bloated ratios in the region.
Voon said even global powers with far bigger populations and far more complex responsibilities operate with leaner cabinets:
He cited the United States as an example that has a population of about 330 million, but 15 Cabinet members.
He also said Australia, with a population of about 26 million, has 24 ministers while Canada, with a population of about 40 million, has 38 ministers.
He added China has 26 ministers, although it has a population of about 1.4 billion.”
“If countries of this scale do not require oversized cabinets, what justification does Sarawak have?” he asked, saying:”The answer is obvious: political accommodation, not public service.”
He said the expansion is not about governance, adding it is about rewarding political partners, securing internal loyalties, and strengthening the ruling coalition’s grip on power—at the expense of the rakyat.
Voon also asked the state government to disclose the financial implication of expanding the State Cabinet.
Early this afternoon, Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the increase in the number of state ministers is both reasonable and necessary.
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 Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
“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.
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