Fahmi: Muhyiddin's '78 more seats' claim a scare tactic

 

JOHOR BY-ELECTIONS | Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil has dismissed Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin’s claim that Putrajaya intends to increase the number of parliamentary seats by 78 as a “scare tactic”.

Fahmi (above, left) said he never heard of such talk and called it a figment of Muhyiddin’s imagination.

“As a cabinet minister, this is the first time I’m hearing this figure. I don’t know where he got this from.

“If a minister has not heard of this, then to me this is just a figment of his imagination to scare people in view of the Pulai by-election,” he said.

Fahmi was speaking to reporters after officiating the ‘Kita Madani Aspirasi Malaysia 2023’ programme for Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya at Pantai Eco Park Community Centre in the capital city today.

This came after Muhyiddin, at a ceramah in Kempas, Johor last night, claimed the federal government plans to amend the Federal Constitution to increase the number of parliamentary constituencies from 222 to 300.

Muhyiddin, who is also Perikatan Nasional chairperson, said a redelineation exercise could be carried out only if the government has a two-thirds majority in the lower house.

The main thrust of PN’s campaign for the by-election has been to deny the Anwar Ibrahim administration a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

On the allegation that the number of seats in the Dewan Rakyat would be increased, PN’s argument was that dense urban constituencies would be split, increasing the likelihood of DAP winning more seats.

In Selangor, for example, the largest constituency is Bangi with 311,469 voters based on the voter list for the Aug 12 election while Sabak Bernam had just 51,842. This meant that a Sabak Bernam voter was worth six times a Bangi voter.

Up until the death of incumbent Pulai MP Salahuddin Ayub on July 23, Anwar could count on the support of 148 MPs - just enough for a two-thirds majority in Dewan Rakyat.

‘What will happen to us?’

Putrajaya can actually amend electoral boundaries without a two-thirds majority. However, it will require two-thirds to add seats.

At the ceramah last night, Muhyiddin said Pulai voters have a unique opportunity to block the creation of new seats by ensuring a PN victory.

“Voters have to think of the impact of new electoral borders. Definitely, the urban areas that are controlled by DAP will see new seats being added.

“What will happen to us then?” he asked.

Fahmi then urged Muhyiddin to pose the question directly to the prime minister when Parliament reconvenes in the middle of this month.

“I wish to remind Muhyiddin not to play truant and attend Parliament so he can ask the prime minister directly,” the minister said. - Mkini