KUCHING: Whether the proposed 99 Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats will be used in the next state election depends entirely on the Election Commission (EC), says Kuala Rajang assemblyman Datuk Len Talif Salleh.
“I don’t know — that’s up to the EC. It depends on how quickly they can carry out the redelineation,” he told reporters during a press conference at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex, here today (July 7).
Commenting on the redelineation process that took place in Sarawak in 2014, Len noted that implementation timelines can vary case by case.
“If we look at past examples, some took several years, others one year, and some only a few months.
“It’s entirely up to the EC. We have no authority to compel them to expedite the process, as they have their own guidelines and protocols to follow,” he stressed.
He clarified that while the Sarawak government has proposed the 99 seats, the actual execution, timing, and adoption of the new boundaries lie with the EC.
“We’ve made the announcement regarding the 99 seats, but ultimately it is the EC that will decide how redelineation is carried out within the existing parliamentary boundaries,” he explained.
Len also addressed criticisms regarding voter distribution and rural representation, saying that the principle of ‘one person, one vote’ cannot be applied absolutely in a vast and sparsely populated state like Sarawak.
He explained that the cost of building a one-kilometre stretch of road in urban areas is not the same as in rural areas, even if the rural population is smaller.
“Even if the infrastructure benefits only a small group in rural areas, its impact on people’s lives is significant. That’s why infrastructure needs should also be considered in redelineation.
“These are the factors the EC must take into account when determining new electoral boundaries,” he added.
