Lukanisman Awang Sauni

Summary

Lukanisman bin Awang Sauni (born 1 February 1982) is a two-term Member of Parliament for Sibuti, Sarawak, representing PBB under the GPS coalition. He served as Deputy Minister of Health from December 2022 to December 2025, during which he was a central figure in health policy debates on doctor retention, drug reform, and Sarawak's healthcare infrastructure. He was reassigned as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in the December 2025 Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Biography

Lukanisman bin Awang Sauni (born 1 February 1982) is a Malaysian politician representing the Sibuti federal constituency in Sarawak under the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), a component party of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) [1]. He was first elected to the Dewan Rakyat in the 14th General Election (GE14) in May 2018, defeating two opposition candidates with a majority of 3,676 votes, and was re-elected in GE15 in November 2022 with a majority of 11,745 votes and 22,150 votes polled [2]. Born in Miri, he is of mixed ethnic Melanau and Chinese descent [1]. He obtained a Bachelor's degree in Policy and Management of Science and Technology from the University of Malaya [3]. Prior to entering politics, he served as a civil servant with the Special Affairs Department (JASA) under the Ministry of Information and Multimedia, rising to the position of Divisional Head [4]. In the 14th Parliament, he was a member of the health, science and innovation parliamentary special select committee (PSSC) and was a member of the Young Parliamentarians' Caucus [5]. He served as Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) from April 2020 to December 2022 [1]. Upon the formation of the Unity Government in December 2022, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Health, serving under Ministers Zaliha Mustafa and subsequently Dzulkefly Ahmad [6]. In a Cabinet reshuffle on 16 December 2025, he was reassigned as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs [7]. He is also GPS deputy youth chief [8].

Known for

Lukanisman is known as a two-term MP from Sibuti who served as Deputy Minister of Health from December 2022 to December 2025, during which he was the public face on issues such as the doctor brain drain, drug policy reform, and Sarawak's healthcare infrastructure needs. He has been an advocate for Niah Caves to be recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was an active participant in parliamentary debates on dilapidated schools, the Malaysia Agreement 1963, and TVET policies [9]. In December 2025, he was elevated to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in a Cabinet reshuffle [10].

Political positions

On healthcare, Lukanisman has advocated for a shift away from colonial-era punitive approaches to drug policy toward a health and rehabilitation-based model, stating that the Ministry of Health was open to reviewing existing laws [11][12]. He has been a proponent of Sarawak's healthcare infrastructure, facilitating discussions on an innovative state-federal financing model for a Sarawak Cancer Centre, under which the state government would fund construction while the federal MOH manages human resources [11][13]. He has publicly acknowledged the federal government's limitations in halting the brain drain of doctors from public service, attributing it to better overseas salaries and incentives [11][14]. On the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Malaysiakini reported that he has actively participated in discussions pertaining to Sarawak's rights under MA63, including health autonomy [9]. He has also signalled the government's intent to develop legislative frameworks governing sugar advertising as part of public health efforts [4][15]. On community matters, he has expressed support for elevating the status of Indian community leaders in Sarawak to the rank of Temenggong [4][16].

Education

1. Pre-2005Obtained a Bachelor's degree in Policy and Management of Science and Technology from the University of Malaya (UM).⛓

Before politics

1. Pre-2018Served as a civil servant with the Special Affairs Department (JASA), Ministry of Information and Multimedia, beginning as a parliamentary information officer and eventually becoming Divisional Head of the department.⛓

Political career

1. May 2018First elected as Member of Parliament for Sibuti in GE14, under Barisan Nasional (PBB), defeating PKR's Jemat Panjang and PAS's Zulaihi Bakar with a majority of 3,676 votes.⛓
2. 16 April 2020Appointed Chairman of the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia.⛓
3. 19 November 2022Re-elected as MP for Sibuti in GE15 under GPS (PBB), polling 22,150 votes with a majority of 11,745 votes in a three-cornered contest.⛓
4. 9 December 2022Appointed Deputy Minister of Health by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim upon formation of the Unity Government, initially serving under Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.⛓
5. 13 December 2023Continued as Deputy Health Minister following a Cabinet reshuffle, now serving under newly appointed Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad.⛓
6. 16 December 2025Reassigned as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Cabinet reshuffle, replacing his previous role in the Health Ministry.⛓

Election history

• 2022Sibuti (P218)Won37.8%⛓
• 2018Sibuti (P218)Won38.3%⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• VerifiedFactsLukanisman was confirmed as GPS deputy youth chief and Deputy Health Minister in multiple Bernama reports, and his appointment as Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister in December 2025 was reported by The Star, Malay Mail, and Free Malaysia Today.⛓
• ExpertCodeBlue reported that at the time of his appointment as Deputy Health Minister in December 2022, Lukanisman had rarely made public statements on health issues prior to taking the portfolio, though he had been a member of the health, science and innovation parliamentary special select committee in the 14th Parliament.⛓
• GovernmentPrime Minister's Office records confirm Lukanisman was appointed Deputy Minister of Health on 9 December 2022 following PM Anwar Ibrahim's announcement of 27 deputy ministers with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.⛓