KUCHING: Sarawak is more likely to head into its next state election with the existing 82 constituencies as time is running short.
Political observer Datuk Peter Minos believes the Election Commission (EC) is unlikely to complete the redelineation process in time for Sarawak to hold its next state election with the proposed 99-seat Legislative Assembly.
His view echoes remarks by Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who recently said it was improbable for the new constituencies to be ready by November or December.
Minos said the EC must still complete several mandatory procedures, including displaying the proposed electoral boundaries, allowing time for public objections, hearing and considering those objections, and finalising the exercise before implementation.
“Looking at the process, Sarawak should be prepared to go into the election with the original 82 seats and be happy with that,” he said.
Nevertheless, he described the expansion to 99 seats as the ideal long-term arrangement for the state.
“Sarawak is vast. The more constituencies we have, the better represented the people will be. Some assemblymen are now serving extremely large geographical areas, making it a heavy responsibility,” he said.
Minos added that the final decision on whether Sarawak votes with 82 or 99 seats would ultimately depend on the EC completing every legal and administrative requirement before the State Legislative Assembly is dissolved.
On the political implications of the additional 17 seats, the only problem with it is that there may be PH peninsular-based parties who want some of the seats.
However, he argued that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) should not allocate any of the new constituencies to Peninsular Malaysia-based parties.
He claimed Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has never won a state seat in Sarawak, while Amanah has yet to establish itself as a significant force. DAP, he noted, secured only two seats in the last state election.
“GPS should retain the 99 seats for Sarawak-based parties and contest them against any opposition, including DAP,” he said, stressing that the coalition should not strengthen parties opposed to its agenda.
