Sarawak passes bill to increase size of state Cabinet

 The Cabinet currently comprises the premier and 10 ministers.

Sarawak tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said several ministers are currently holding multiple portfolios, resulting in heavier administrative responsibilities.

PETALING JAYA:

 The Sarawak legislative assembly today passed the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill 2025, enabling the state government to appoint up to four additional members to the state Cabinet.

A total of 23 assembly members took part in the debate before the bill was passed with 74 votes in favour and two against, Bernama reported.

Earlier, when tabling the bill, Sarawak tourism, creative industry and performing arts minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the present Cabinet needed to be strengthened in view of rising governance demands.

Karim said the Cabinet currently comprises the premier and 10 ministers.

He said the amendment was driven in part by the recent expansion of the assembly from 82 to 99 members.

“With the increase in the number of constituencies and administrative areas, the present composition is no longer proportionate to the state’s expanding governance structure,” he said.

Karim said several ministers were currently holding multiple portfolios, resulting in heavier administrative responsibilities.

He said the amendment would also allow the state government to better respond to the needs of the people and deliver services with greater focus across all key sectors. - FMT