What distribution of seats? It has not happened as Parliament has yet to approve the proposed increase, says Karim

KUCHING, March 12 2026: The distribution of 17 new seats in the  State Legislative Assembly (SLA) among the four Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component parties  does not arise at this stage,PBB information chief Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (picture) has explained. 

He said these seats have not existed yet as the proposal to increase the number from 82 to 99 has not been approved by Parliament.

Therefore, he said the question of distribution the seats among PBB, SUPP, PRS and PDP, does not arise.

He said after the redelineation exercise has been endorsed by Parliament, it is up to the EC to decide where these seats will be. 

“I do not think PBB and SUPP will say this is my seat and that is your seat. The seat does not exist yet, I myself do not know where the seat is,” he said when asked to comment on the alleged leaked powerpoint presentation of the redelineation exercise of the state electoral boundaries.

Karim, who is also the state Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, explained although the proposal to increase the  seats had been approved at SLA, it is awaiting confirmation at the Parliament.

Karim was speaking to the media after he pre-launched the Borneo Global MediTourism Congress and Expo 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), today.

It was circulated on social media and news portal that PBB would get 10 seats, PRS and SUPP three each and PDP, one.

On another matter, he said it is unfair to compare the 99-metre high Sarawak flagpole with the 12-metre high Selangor flagpole.

“In the case of Sarawak, it is about Ibu Pertiwi Complex consisting of the flagpole, fountains and other facilities,” he said.

He said the cost of RM30 million to build the complex was borne by the private sector while the Selangor flagpole, a standalone pole, was financed by the Selangor government.

The Borneo Global MidTourism Congress is scheduled to be held on October 12 and 13 this year and is expected to attract over 3,000 visitors with the participation of about 100 companies and 400 trade delegations.