All 134 members of parliament from both sides of the political divide today approved the government's move to make Putrajaya a constituency in the next general election expected by 2004 or earier.

Despite some opposition from PAS, Keadilan and DAP during debate time, no one voted against the motion to delineate the electoral boundary of Putrajaya, thus paving the way for its residents to have their own MP.

"Don't be shocked by the results, all MPs voted for the motion and no one opposed," said House speaker Mohamed Zahir Ismail, laughing when announcing the results.

Earlier, de facto Law Minister Dr Rais Yatim when moving the motion said the number of voters in Putrajaya is expected to increase to 30,000 in 2003, from the current 28, when the residential and commercial units are ready.

He said the delineation exercise will open the way for Putrajaya to be the next capital of Malaysia and its residents will then have their own MP.

The motion, he added, was in line with Article 46 of the Federal Constitution (amended) which states that the number of constituencies has been increased from 193 to 194, he said.

According to Rais, the delineation exercise by the Election Commission has been completed on Feb 14, and the report submitted to the prime minister and tabled in parliament on March 27.

This is seen as a unique exercise as it is rare that a city is created and proposed as a constituency in so short a period of time.

Prestigious constituency

During the debate, Ruhanie Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong) said Putrajaya will be a very popular constituency and very much sought after by opposition parties PAS, Keadilan and DAP.

However, the majority of civil servants there, he said, would not want such a prestigious constituency to be governed by the opposition.

Tan Seng Giaw (DAP-Kepong) said the civil servants have attended parliamentary proceedings and are aware that the Barisan Nasional has been irrational and wasteful.

I believe they will definitely vote for the opposition come the next general election, he said.

Tan wanted to know what the EC would do if Putrajaya did not achieve the projected number of people in 2003.

Would they move people from Kepong or Bandar Tun Razak to Putrajaya? he queried.