Shahidan: Redelineation needs support of all parties

The redelineation of electoral boundaries by the Election Commission (EC) should be supported by all political parties in the interest of the people, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim. 

He said this was because the redelineation exercise as enshrined under the constitution constituted the right of the people to have more elected representatives to strike a balance in the number of voters in certain constituencies. 

"So, if the imbalance needed changes to the electoral boundaries, it is unbecoming on the part of the government to deny the people's right," he said when playing host at an Aidilfitri open house at the Putra World Trade Centre today. 

He was commenting on Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim's statement that Pakatan Rakyat would not endorse any redelineation of electoral boundaries by the EC with its current leadership still calling the shots.  

Shahidan said it was the opposition's right not to endorse any changes to the electoral boundaries but it should not be associated with the EC leadership.

EC deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar recently said that the redelineation of electoral boundaries, which was supposed to be carried out in 2011, would begin at the end of the year and expected to complete within two years. 

On Anwar's call to a dialogue with the government on national issues in the spirit of the independence, Shahidan said the opposition leader could bring up the issues in Parliament. 

- Bernama