Sarawak now eligible for redelineation process, says deputy minister
KUCHING (July 4): The eight-year period required before a redelineation exercise can take place in Sarawak has elapsed, and the state is now eligible to initiate the process, said Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Law, State-Federal Relations and MA63) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali.
She explained to The Borneo Post that the redelineation process is governed by Article 113(2) of the Federal Constitution, read together with the 13th Schedule, which considers factors such as the number of voters in a constituency and challenges faced by rural areas.
'Among the main parameters often emphasised by the Sarawak government in the redelineation proposal is to ensure that there is no imbalance between urban and rural areas and to ensure representation that reflects the vastness and composition of Sarawak's multi-racial society,' she said when contacted.
While declining to comment on whether the matter would be raised at the special one-day Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting next Monday, Sharifah Hasidah cautioned against relying solely on population numbers when redrawing boundaries.
She said if representation is based purely on population, remote areas with scattered populations would struggle to obtain fair and adequate representation.
The Semariang assemblywoman stressed that future redelineation efforts must prioritise fair and equitable representation by considering Sarawak's unique racial, geographical, and demographic makeup.
A lawyer-turned politician, who requested anonymity, however, pointed out that state governments do not have unilateral power to increase the number of seats.
All they can do is make recommendations to the Election Commission (EC), which will determine the number of constituencies, he added.
'Yes, it has to go through Parliament as required under Article 113 to 117 and the 13th Schedule (Sections 8 to11) of the Federal Constitution,' he said.
He pointed out that the Sarawak DUN may accept or reject EC proposals and submit its own representation, and the EC may consider these views, but is not obligated to adopt them.
Final approval, he added, rests with Parliament.
'I would add that new seats will not be implemented without approval by Sarawak DUN, in accordance with Article 113 (4). That is why it (the matter) still needs to be debated in the DUN,' he insisted.
'Once approved by the DUN, final approval would follow by Parliament,' he said.
Earlier this year on Feb 12, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman, said the EC had informed the state government of the possibility of a revision to Sarawak's electoral boundaries.
He said GPS would hold discussions with component parties before submitting its redelineation proposal to the EC.
Sarawak had its last redelineation exercise in 2015. It had 48 state constituencies before the first election in 1969, rising to 56 in 1985; 62 in 1995; 71 in 2005; and 82 in 2015 till now.
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