MP: New Sarawak seats must respect voters’ equality, not political interests

KUCHING (March 9): Any delineation exercise in Sarawak must uphold constitutional principles on apportionment, area weightage, and local ties, while allowing sufficient public scrutiny, said Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii.

In a statement, he said the proposed increase of Sarawak state seats from 82 to 99 must uphold the interest of all Sarawakians of different regions rather than the interest of any political parties.

Dr Yii highlighted Subsection 2(c) of the Thirteenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution mandates that the number of electors in each constituency should be approximately equal, with exceptions only for rural constituencies facing geographical disadvantages.

“This means a maximum-to-minimum ratio of 2:1, where a rural constituency could have as little as half the voters of an urban constituency.

“What we see today is outrageous malappointment.

“Miri parliamentary seat has 149,441 voters while Igan has only 29,132 voters, a ratio of 5:1.
“Senadin state seat has 73,430 voters while Gedong has only 10,380 voters, a ratio of 7:1,” he said.

Dr Yii further questioned why Bandar Kuching and Petra Jaya have almost the same number of voters, yet only the latter is slated for two new state seats.

“Does this imply Petra Jaya constituents are worthy of more representation?

This creates two classes of urban voters,” he stressed, adding that similar inequalities exist in rural areas.

While acknowledging the constitutional ‘weightage of area’ provision for rural constituencies, Dr Yii emphasised that it is not a blank cheque to over-represent all rural areas.

“It should be conditional on large geographical area and genuine difficulty in reaching electors,” he said, citing Hulu Rajang, Baram, Baleh, Belaga, and Murum, which are large but do not have legitimate claims for over-representation.

Dr Yii pointed out that Igan and Gedong are over-represented unjustifiably.

“Igan has an area of only one-third of Negeri Sembilan yet fewer voters than Hulu Rajang, Baram, Selangau, Bintulu and Kapit―all larger in both area and electorate.

“Gedong is an even clearer example: nearly half of Sarawak’s 82 constituencies have both a larger area and more voters than Gedong, whose main town is less than two hours from the State Legislature,” he said.

Dr Yii alleged that preferential treatment for larger constituencies amounted to political manipulation rather than legitimate rural weightage.

“When GPS claims to champion Sarawak First, it must champion all Sarawakians regardless of race, religion or demographics.

“Yet the leaked redrawing of boundaries divides Sarawakians into two classes in both urban and rural areas.

“This is not Sarawak First but Party First,” he said.

Dr Yii noted that the increase in Sarawak’s state seats from 82 to 99 was finalised on Aug 8 last year and came in force after DUN approval.

Parliamentary approval is only required for the final boundaries drawn by the Election Commission (EC).

“Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said Parliament will approve the exercise in July.

“This implies the EC has just four months to complete the entire delineation process―from local inquiries to final reports.

“Is this an attempt to rush the process and avoid public scrutiny?,” Dr Yii asked.

“Sarawak belongs to its people, not to the behest or interest of any political parties.

“That is the true meaning of Sarawak First,” he concluded.