KUCHING: Any new state constituencies created under the proposed electoral boundary changes will need the support of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government to ensure they are not left behind in development.
Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) deputy president Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said newly created constituencies would have their own development needs and would require strong representation to bring them on par with more established areas.
“New areas will need new leaders. They will also need more development to catch up with other areas,” he told a press conference here yesterday (Aug 25).
Henry, who is also Deputy Minister of Transport (Riverine and Maritime), said voters in any new constituencies should therefore consider their long-term development needs when deciding who should represent them.
He maintained that supporting GPS would provide the continuity needed to bring development to these areas.
“You have to be very wise in your decision. If a new area is left behind from the beginning, it will take time for it to catch up.
“That is why these areas need the support of the GPS government so that development can continue,” he said.
Touching on the possible impact of the proposed electoral changes on Tasik Biru, Henry said his constituency currently has about 30,000 voters and could be among the areas affected.
However, he stressed that the actual configuration remained unclear pending the Election Commission’s (EC) formal display.
“We don’t know yet. We have to wait for the EC to display the proposal.
“Only then will we know which areas are involved, which will fall under the new constituencies and which will remain within the existing areas,” he said.
Henry said regardless of how the boundaries were eventually drawn, the priority should be to ensure that any new constituency was given the opportunity to develop and catch up with existing areas.
“Whatever happens, we still have to continue supporting the government because new areas will need development,” he added.
