KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 – The Dewan Rakyat yesterday had been approved the motion tabled today seeking to raise by 11 to 82 the number of state constituencies in Sarawak. The motion on the redelineation of parliamentary and state constituencies in Sarawak was carried through block voting, with 130 MPs supporting and 72 opposing.
The new constituencies are N13 Batu Kitang, N17 Stakan, N18 Serembu, N23 Bukit Semuja, N26 Gedong, N40 Kabong, N57 Tellian, N63 Bukit Goram, N66 Murum, N70 Samalaju and N78 Mulu. Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said the motion was approved as the supporting votes exceeded half of the total 222 members of the house.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak earlier today tabled the motion on the Report on the Redelineation of Sarawak Electoral Boundaries that sought to provide for 11 more state constituencies to bring the total number to 82. The number of federal or parliamentary constituencies remains at 31 but some had their boundaries altered to suit the creation of the 11 state constituencies.
The Sarawak legislative assembly approved the relevant legislation on the increase in the number of state constituencies from 71 to 82 effective Dec 5 last year. In the Dewan Rakyat here Wednesday, 10 MPs which five from the Barisan Nasional and five from the opposition was spoke during the debate on the motion.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nancy Shukri wound up the debate and said the Election Commission had conducted its work independently without any interference. She said the EC discharged its responsibility in undertaking the redelineation without bowing to the political interests of any party.
Nancy also said that the exercise was carried out based on the principles set in the Federal Constitution and by taking into consideration the people’s interest and a smooth democratic process. She expressed regret over the accusations hurled at the EC by certain quarters, especially the opposition, charging that it had not been transparent and fair.
The MP for Batang Sadong defended the EC, saying it had gone down to the ground right into the interior of Sarawak in undertaking the exercise and with the aim of giving an opportunity for all the people of the state from the various communities to participate in the next state election, due by June 2016.
