KUCHING: SUPP Stakan branch chairman Datuk Sim Kiang Chiok has voiced strong support for calls to increase parliamentary representation in Sabah and Sarawak.
He said the move reflects the growing population, geographical realities and the need to strengthen political representation in line with the spirit of the federation.
Sim said he also supports the proposal to create 17 new state constituencies in Sarawak.
“The proposal is timely and necessary following the implementation of Undi 18.
“Undi 18 has significantly expanded the number of eligible voters and encouraged greater participation among young Sarawakians in the democratic process,” he said.
He said Sarawak’s vast geographical size and scattered rural communities pose challenges for elected representatives in serving constituents across remote and difficult terrain.
“Increasing the number of constituencies will allow assemblymen to give more focused attention to local issues and better address development needs,” he said.
Sim added that expanding representation would strengthen grassroots governance and improve service delivery, particularly for rural and interior communities across the state.
He pointed out that under the Federal Constitution, electoral boundary reviews can only be conducted after an interval of at least eight years.
“The last redelineation exercise in Sarawak was carried out in 2015, when the number of state seats increased from 71 to 82,” he said.
Sim also supported calls for Sabah and Sarawak to hold at least 33 per cent of parliamentary seats in Malaysia.
“This would be consistent with the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963, recognising Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners in the formation of Malaysia,” he said.
He urged the Election Commission to expedite the delineation process so the proposal could be tabled and approved in parliament without delay.
