MP warns against unfair redelineation in Sarawak

 Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii says some areas already enjoy stronger representation than others.

Dr Kelvin Yii said while areas that are geographically large and remote may need additional representation, this should not apply to every seat with a small number of voters.

PETALING JAYA:

 Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii has warned that the redelineation of seats in Sarawak must not be used to favour political strongholds, noting that some areas already have stronger representation than others.

Yii said the issue is not just about adding more seats, but whether the changes could create an unfair advantage for certain areas.

He said while he generally supported increasing the number of seats in Sarawak, the process must be transparent, and sufficient time must be given for the public to study and raise concerns about the proposed changes.

While areas that are geographically large and remote may need additional representation, he said, this should not apply to every seat with a small number of voters.

“While I acknowledge that the constitution provides for the ‘weightage of area’ in rural constituencies, it is not a blank cheque to over-represent all rural seats,” Yii said in a statement.

He warned that the exercise could create unfair disparities between voters in different parts of Sarawak, in both urban and rural areas.

He called on the Election Commission to act independently and ensure the exercise serves the interests of all Sarawakians, not just political parties.

Civil society groups last week urged EC chairman Ramlan Harun to ensure integrity in Sarawak’s upcoming electoral redelineation following the circulation of a slide deck that allegedly details 17 new state constituencies benefitting Gabungan Parti Sarawak.

They said the plan also suggests adding seats to 14 of Sarawak’s 31 parliamentary constituencies, including small ones like Tanjong Manis, while denying larger constituencies such as Bandar Kuching extra seats. - FMT