The Sabah Election Commission (EC) will seek the expertise of Sarawak EC in its forthcoming delineation exercise, said Sabah EC director Datuk Idrus Ismail.

He said for the time being he would leave matters pertaining to the additional seats to the Sabah State Legislative Assembly which will convene from August 8 to 10.

“We will leave it to the Sabah DUN to debate on the matter on how many seats would be created. Once that is done, we will seek the assistance from Sarawak based on its experience in handling similar exercise not too long ago.

“Insofar as we in Sabah are concerned, we really need Sarawak’s experience in carrying out this exercise once our state DUN passed the motion on how many seats will be created,” Idrus told The Borneo Post here yesterday.

He was commenting on speculations that Sabah will see an additional 13 state seats if the bill to allow the EC to add seats is passed at the state legislative assembly when it starts its sitting on Aug 8.

When contacted, United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) acting president Datuk Seri Madius Tangau said his party’s stand is to see that the State Assembly seats are reviewed in view of population increase in several areas in Sabah.

“The timing of the proposed bill to pave the way for the creation of 13 new state seats is ripe. Our view about the people being represented by Wakil Rakyat (assemblymen) from each community is also an open secret. We have been consistent during our conventions and congresses over the years with such demand.

“For instance, it is high time we have a seat for the Lundayeh and Lotud community, and reinstate those which were there before, like Langkon,” he said.

Madius who is also Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation said for the record, Upko had submitted several proposals to increase the state seats over the years, the latest being last year (2015).

He said Upko had proposed for at least 11 new seats.

“We have also engaged with the relevant authorities about it,” he said.

Sabah Deputy Speaker Datuk Johnny Mositun was reported as saying that once the bill has been approved by the State Legislative Assembly, it would then be up to the EC to draw out the new seats based on the needs of the state.

Madius said a major concern for Upko is the distribution of these new seats.

“From what we could gather thus far, the new seats would somewhat address the perceived imbalance as is the case now where one party contests in more than half of the 60 seats,” he said.

Towards this end, he assured that Upko would continue to work really hard with its Barisan Nasional (BN) partners – Umno, Gerakan, MCA, MIC, LDP, PBRS and PBS to ensure the end result is the best for all.

Meanwhile, Sarawak BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said Sabah is entitled for the increase in the number of seats.

“As expected Sabah had been contemplating to add few more DUN seats and in fact they tried to have it done the same as Sarawak and as for the number of new additional seats, well they are entitled to request as they deem fit,” added the Minister of Public Utilities who is now overseas on official duties.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by Peter Sibon

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