DAP has expressed concern that the Election Commission's (EC) redelineation exercise in Sabah will favour Umno.

 

This comes after Borneo Post reported that Sabah will see an increase in seven state seats - all of which are in areas that were won by BN in the 13th general election two years ago.

 

According to the report, the seats are Darau in Sepanggar, Mengkabong in Tuaran, Limbahau in Papar, Pandasan in Kota Belud, Sepagaya in Lahad Datu, Langkon in Kota Marudu and Bukit Garam in Kinabatangan.

 

Sri Tanjong state assemblyperson Chan Foong Hin said if the said seats are finalised, Umno will undoubtably stand to gain the most.

 

"At least four out of seven proposed seats favour Umno. These proposed seats are all BN's safe areas.

 

"Based on the location of these seats, only Kota Marudu sees the opposition's votes outnumbering BN's in the last general election," he told Malaysiakini .

 

Even though opposition votes outstripped BN's in Kota Marudu parliamentary seat, incumbent Maximus Ongkili managed to defend his seat as votes were split in a four-corner fight.

 

If the speculation is true, Sabah's state seats will increase to from 60 to 67.

 

In the dark

 

Chan, who is also Sabah DAP vice-chief, said his party is in the dark over the re-delineation exercise.

 

However, he expects the proposal to be tabled in the state assembly by April which will be the House's first meeting this year.

 

Chan said DAP will not allow the new re-delineated map to go through easily, vowing to make full use of the 30-day objection period.

 

DAP, he said, will try to gather 100 voters in the affected constituencies as per objection procedures but conceded it will not be an easy task.

 

"Rural areas like Kinabatangan are vast and its population is sparse, we admit that it will be difficult to mobilise (people)," he said.

 

Sabah's reported redelineation proposal comes after the EC announced on Jan 5 it had completed the re-delineation exercise for state seats in Sarawak.

 

The EC had proposed an increase of 11 state constituencies for Sarawak, bringing the state's total to 82.