Kuching: DAP Sarawak Assistant Organising Secretary Senator Roderick Wong Siew Lead has warned that the recent expansion of Sarawak’s Cabinet will increase public expenditure without delivering meaningful improvements in government efficiency.
“Adding ministers requires additional resources such as offices, transportation, allowances, and operational expenses – all of which increase public expenditure,” Wong said.
His remarks come after the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) recently passed the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill 2025, adding four new full ministerial posts to the state Cabinet.
Wong argued that many state functions are already running systematically and that simply creating more ministerial posts will not enhance performance, improve efficiency, and will generate unnecessary costs.
Wong stressed that what Sarawak truly needs is a strong, professional administrative team.
“A well-structured, clearly defined, and effective bureaucracy is far more impactful than a large but unwieldy Cabinet,” he said.
He called for efficient and competent ministers who can deliver tangible outcomes rather than spreading the workload across more posts.
He also criticised the government’s preference for “big and impressive” projects, citing the state’s largest flag, the Kuching airport expansion, the expansive ART project, and now the enlarged Cabinet, all of which increase costs borne by taxpayers.
“Real administrative reform must be grounded in discipline, transparency, and strong justification. Any expansion of institutions must be structurally sound, strategically coherent, and purpose-driven.
“Only then can reforms truly enhance efficiency, optimise resources, and better serve the public,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wong has voiced support for the objections raised by Padungan Assemblyman, Stampin MP, and DAP Sarawak Chairman Chong Chieng Jen and Pending Assemblywoman Violet Yong, arguing that the expansion runs counter to the government’s stated reform agenda.
“When tabling the 2026 state budget, Premier Abang Johari emphasised that the government aims to strengthen institutional reforms by streamlining functions, removing duplication, and increasing administrative efficiency – ultimately building a leaner public service that can deliver greater results with fewer resources.
“However, while advocating for a smaller and more efficient system, the government simultaneously expanded the Cabinet, revealing a clear policy contradiction,” he said.
Wong said Sarawak now has 37 full and deputy ministers, plus the Premier, meaning nearly half of all state assemblypersons hold government posts – an “extremely bloated” administrative structure.
