A delimitation proposal for the Sarawak state assembly seems to be done to appease two warring BN-linked parties, an MP said today.

 

The proposed election boundary redrawing which increases the state assembly seats by 11 was put forth by the Election Commission (EC), said PKR parliamentarian Sim Tze Tzin.

 

Sim said the "drastic increase" seems to benefit and appease United People's Party (UPP) and the newly formed Teras, which has yet to become an official member of BN.

 

"The EC must answer what is the rationale behind such a drastic increase. If they fail to do so, people will assume that the EC is being used by BN," he told a press conference in Parliament.

 

Sim also said that with the addition of 11 seats, the EC seems to suggest a “peaceful solution” to resolve the political conflict between BN Sarawak and Teras, which holds nine seats.

“The 15.5 percent increase is extremely drastic and shocking as it was assumed that the EC might add six seats at the most,” he said.

The PKR MP also said that the delimitation proposal will involve amendments to the Sarawak Constitution, and this indicates that the process of delimitation has officially commenced.

“Pakatan must make adequate preparations to deal with this draft bill,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sim said that more seats will only silence the voices and decrease the power and influence of the assemblymen in the state assembly.

“Having more assemblymen would only intensify competition for the request of provisions for their area, especially from the more rural and remote ones.

“Consequently, meeting the requests of the assemblymen will be significantly reduced as provisions are not enough to fulfil the needs of all,” he reasoned.

Sim also called on both sides of the political divide to reject any increase in seats.

The delimitation of Sarawak is expected to be debated when the state assembly is in session between Nov 11 to 19.