Sarawak Speaker says has yet to receive official report on the redelineation exercise from the Election Commission

KUCHING, March 22  2026: The Sarawak Legislative Assembly (SLA) has yet to receive an official report from the Election Commission (EC) on the redelineation exercise of the the electoral boundaries that proposes to increase the number of SLA seats from 82 to 99.

Speaker Asfia Awang Nasar  stresses that geographical factors must be taken into account in the redelineation exercise in Sarawak and cannot rely solely on population numbers.

“After the report from the EC has been received, the proposed electoral boundaries will be displayed to the public to allow for any objections before it is gazetted, and subsequently brought to Parliament for approval.

“The addition of 17 seats only requires the support of a simple majority and is not expected to face any problems.

“However, any addition of Parliamentary seats requires the support of two-thirds of Members of Parliament,” he said.

Afsia was reporters during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house  at the residence of Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Len Talif Salleh today.

He said following approval at the SLA level, the next responsibility now lies entirely under the jurisdiction of the EC to carry out studies as well as the redelineation exercise at the grassroots level.

He stressed that geographical factors must be taken into account in the redelineation exercise in Sarawak and cannot rely solely on population numbers.

The Speaker expressed hope that the federal government and the EC would understand the unique geography of the state when carrying out the process.

On other matter, Asfia said the current term of the SLA runs until February 2027, although its dissolution can be carried out at any time by the Sarawak Governor on the advice of th
e Sarawak Premier.

“The power to dissolve the Assembly lies with the governor while the premier only provides advice and makes the announcement,” he explained