Abang Johari: Balanced representation necessary in electoral redelineation for Sarawak

Abang Johari in a light moment with Awang Tengah and Uggah upon arrival at PBB headquarters on May 11, 2024.

By Karen Bong and Marlynda Meraw

KUCHING, May 11: Premier of Sarawak and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has stressed the significance of balanced representation in the redelineation of electoral boundaries in Sarawak.

During the GPS Supreme Council meeting held at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters in Jalan Bako today, the redelineation exercise to add parliamentary seats in Sarawak was among the key topics discussed.

“With potential revisions to the electoral boundaries in Sarawak, we are prepared to present our recommendations to the Election Commission (EC),” he stated at a press conference following the meeting.

When queried on the number of seats Sarawak is expected to gain from the process, Abang Johari pointed out that the decision lies with the EC.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Deputy Premier and Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) deputy president Datuk Henry Harry Jinep, and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Datuk Joseph Salang gandum were present at the meeting.

For context, Sarawak is due for a review on redelineation of electoral boundaries, in view o the minimum eight-year interval from the last review and delineation exercise which was conducted in 2015.

Previously, it was reported that Sarawak is projected to gain 12 new seats once the redelineation process is completed.

It is also hoped that the exercise would increase the number of parliamentary seats in Sarawak in order to close the gap and bring Sarawak closer to slightly more than one-third of the number of parliamentary seats in the Dewan Rakyat as enshrined under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).

To date, Sarawak has 31 parliamentary seats whereas Sabah has 25 seats, making up only 25 per centof the total 222 seats in the Parliament.

The remaining 75 per cent of 166 seats are held by Peninsular Malaysia. — DayakDaily