The Sabah state assembly today passed a bill to increase the number of seats in the assembly from 60 to 73.

Fifty-one backbenchers and four opposition assemblypersons voted for it while three assemblypersons voted "nay".

The three were Roland Chia (PKR-Inanam), Terence Siambun (PKR-Moyog) and Chan Foong Hin (DAP-Sri Tanjong) while Wong Hong Jun (DAP-Likas) abstained.

Mohammad Yusof Apdal (BN-Lahad Datu) was not present.

Deputy speaker Johnson Tee then announced that the bill was carried.

When tabling the bill, Sabah Special Functions Minister Teo Chee Kang said the last time a redelineation exercise was held in the state was in 2003.

Following the passing of the bill, the Election Commission will be undertaking the redelineation exercise.

- Bernama