Pakatan Harapan today submitted over 85 objections in three states over the Election Commission’s (EC) redelineation plans.

The Selangor government, too, submitted its own objection at the EC’s Selangor office in Shah Alam.

The state government’s objection was filed by political secretary Shuhaimi Shafie on behalf of Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali.

“The objection was filed to uphold the democratic rights of the voters of Selangor and pursuant to the powers of the state government to object under Section 5, Part II of the Thirteenth Schedule to the Federal Constitution.

“The menteri besar has urged the EC to revisit their proposal in a manner that upholds the integrity of the EC and is consistent with the Federal Constitution.

“The state government is also fully prepared to initiate legal action in order uphold the constitution and the democratic rights of Selangor’s voters,” he said in a statement released by Azmin’s office.

Under objection rules, the state government is entitled to object to the EC’s redelineation proposal.

However, citizens who intend to object must gather at least 100 people from an affected constituency.

This effort was spearheaded by political parties with PKR and DAP submitting more than 50 objections in Selangor.

The opposition parties said they believed the redelineation exercise is unfair, political in nature and will lead to a split among the races in particular areas.

PKR's Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin pointed out how all areas in Selangor would be affected by the exercise.

Racial unity would also be affected, Zuraida added, as one area would only see only one race as the majority.

“We are sending these objections to show our objection to the redelineation exercise.

“This shows that Selangor is serious when it comes to the redelineation exercise, since the EC has failed to even follow basic principles,” the PKR Wanita chief told a press conference at the EC office in Selangor.

The objections were submitted to Selangor EC deputy director Kamarul Azman Ahmad Sabri at its headquarters in Shah Alam.

Also present was PSM's Sri Andalas state assemblyperson Dr Xavier Jayakumar, who said concentrating one race in a particular area would not reflect ‘one Malaysia’.

He added that the EC's move may lead to an apartheid policy similar to what was once practised in South Africa.

“This is a very serious matter, it will lead to a split among races despite the country being multiracial for the past 59 years," he said.

Bukit Lanjan state representative Elizabeth Wong, Kota Anggerik representative Yaakob Sapari, Batu Tiga assemblyperson Rodziah Ismail, Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming, Kota Alam Shah representative V Ganabatirau and Kinrara assemblyperson Ng Sze Han were also present.

Johor DAP also filed 17 objections over changes of boundaries in the state.

Johor DAP election director Tan Hong Pin also complained about the short period of time - a month - voters had to file their objections.

“There was insufficient time to prepare the objections due to lack of information as well as difficulties in accessing the Election Commission’s website,” he said.

Meanwhile, Harapan, too, filed 17 objections in Malacca against the redelineation proposal.

The delegation was led by PKR’s Bukit Katil MP Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, DAP’s Ayer Keroh state assemblyperson Khoo Poay Tiong and Malacca Amanah chief Adly Zahari.

Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor had previously denied claims that the redelineation exercise would only benefit BN.

Tengku Adnan claimed that many in the ruling coalition were unhappy with the exercise, and he had instructed BN component parties to submit their objections through the right channel.

But Ong said if BN parties were not in agreement with the EC, they should then lend their support to the opposition once the matter is raised in Parliament.

Ong added that they should submit their objections as soon as possible as the last day to do so is tomorrow.

However, Zuraida said Tengku Adnan’s statement was a mere “gimmick” on the part of BN.

“It’s just their gimmick to show that they are supposedly unhappy with the redelineation exercise.

“Yes, the opposition is raising this matter because the exercise is not being conducted according to laws and redelineation policies,” she added.