'New seats to help BN' just a suggestion, says Malacca CM

Malacca Chief Minister Idris Haron has clarified his proposal that redelineation be done in the state to help Barisan Nasional regain the seats it had lost, stressing that it was a mere suggestion.

“It was merely a suggestion, a proposal from the party,” Idris told a press conference at Angkasapuri in Kuala Lumpur today.

He explained this when asked to respond whether his proposal was an admission that BN was using the Election Commission (EC) to win elections.

However, the chief minister said, he had merely found out that the increased number of voters within parliamentary constituencies in the central Malacca district had changed the polarity of voters.

Idris further explained that he and his team had discussed ways for them to win in the next general election to ensure that all voters would have the opportunity to choose their preferred representatives.

“So, among others, we found that should the EC redelineate the boundaries, that would be the best way for us to reach out to voters who prefer us to be their representative,” he said.

“This is just a matter of our internal party administration and party strategy, so it has nothing to do with the EC."

It was up to the EC to go ahead with the redelineation process or otherwise, he said.

“We hope that our suggestion will be heard and will be taken up by the EC but if it does not want to heed (our suggestion), it is the EC’s right as it is the ultimate authority,” he added.

Last Saturday, Idris proposed that a constituency redelineation be carried out in Malacca to assist BN to win back the seats it lost in the last general election.

He proposed the addition of three state seats, one in the parliamentary seat of Tangga Batu that the BN holds and another two in the Bukit Katil parliamentary constituency, which is held by PKR.

The chief minister today also stressed that he does not have any influence to convince nor to ensure that the EC listens to his proposal.

As such, Idris said he did not understand why the opposition was making a big fuss over the issue.

“They have a few states like Selangor, Penang and Kelantan – just go ahead and plan for the strength of your party to make your party stronger.

“I have my work here to do. I have to make my party stronger to be the chosen one in the next general election.”

He further pointed out how ultimately it was up to the voters to choose who they want as their representatives.

“If the EC heeds my call and does according to whatever we think that should be done, alhamdulillah.

“But bear in mind […] (even if we) go through this process, it is still up to the voters whether to choose us or not,” he said.

Stressing that he was merely doing his job as the Umno leader for the state, Idris said he did not want to be seen as a non-performing or passive leader.

“I want to gain back all the seats that we lost in the previous general election – that's my role.

“I think nobody should teach me how to do my work in Malacca,” he added.

The chief minister earlier today announced the 2016 Sungai Melaka International Festival, set to be held from Sept 1 to Sept 18.

Aimed to provide entertainment as well as cultural experiences for all tourists, Idris said the state government expects that the festival would attract over one million visitors.

Visitors can partake in various competitions such as colouring, fishing and photography competitions as well as enjoy various cultural shows. - Mkini