Having More Parliamentary and State Seats May Not Improve Governance But It Will Increase Costs, Says PBK

Borneo Herald 

6.00PM MYT, 10-3-2026

 

By Voon Lee Shan, Kuching

THE proposal to increase the number of parliamentary and state seats in Sarawak must be strongly questioned, especially at a time when Malaysia is facing serious fiscal pressures and rising national debt. Expanding the number of elected representatives will inevitably lead to higher public expenditure, yet there is little evidence that it will improve governance or public welfare.

Currently, Members of Parliament in Malaysia receive a basic salary of about RM16,000 per month, with additional allowances such as travel, entertainment, fuel, driver and meeting attendance payments that can bring their monthly remuneration to around RM25,000 or more. 

At the state level, Sarawak already pays among the highest allowances in the country, with state assembly members receiving around RM15,000 per month before additional benefits. 

More importantly, elected representatives are also entitled to pensions after just 36 months of service, which can begin as early as age 50. 

There have been public revelations that:

Some ministers and politicians may receive gratuities between RM1 million and RM2 million depending on years of service. 

Politicians holding multiple positions could receive combined pensions exceeding RM100,000 per month. 

These figures demonstrate that expanding the number of seats will significantly increase long-term obligations for taxpayers — not just salaries but lifetime pensions, gratuities, allowances, official vehicles, and other privileges.

Political Patronage and Power Consolidation

The push for more seats also raises legitimate concerns about political patronage. Increasing the number of constituencies can create more positions to reward party loyalists, political allies, and family networks. Rather than strengthening democracy, this can entrench ruling coalitions and prolong their grip on power.

In a parliamentary system, most policies and bills are already formulated by the Cabinet, with Parliament and state assemblies largely debating and voting to approve them. The expansion of seats does not fundamentally change how policy is made; it merely increases the number of politicians participating in a process that is already executive-driven.

Therefore, the argument that more seats will improve governance must be treated with skepticism.

What it may actually produce is: more political offices, more salaries and allowances, more pension liabilities, and a larger burden on taxpayers.

A Nation Facing Fiscal Constraints

Malaysia is already struggling with rising public debt and fiscal deficits. In such circumstances, the priority should be streamlining government spending and improving efficiency, not expanding the political class.

Civil servants must work decades to qualify for a full pension, yet politicians can receive pensions after only a few years in office. This imbalance raises serious questions about fairness and responsible governance.

Conclusion

The proposal to increase parliamentary and state seats risks turning democratic representation into a costly political reward system. Instead of enlarging the political establishment, Malaysia should focus on: fiscal discipline, institutional reforms, and ensuring elected representatives truly serve the people rather than the interests of political elites.

Expanding the number of politicians does not automatically strengthen democracy — it may simply expand the cost of maintaining power.

Voon Lee Shan is President of Parti Bumi Kenyalang, a Sarawak political party#~Borneo Herald™