KUCHING: The proposed redelineation of Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) constituencies to add 17 new seats is expected to be tabled in Parliament only next year, subject to procedures currently being undertaken by the Election Commission (EC).
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof said the EC had informed him that the exercise was still in its preliminary stages, including preparations for a public display before any proposal could be finalised.
He said members of the public would be given the opportunity to submit objections or feedback once the public display process begins, in accordance with the commission’s procedures.
“The process and procedures alone may not be completed within this year, so it is highly likely that the proposal can only be brought to Parliament next year,” he told reporters after presenting the RISE Outstanding Students Incentive Awards at SMK Sains Kuching Utara here on Sunday.
Fadillah stressed that the timeline rests entirely with the EC, which independently oversees the redelineation exercise.
“It is under the jurisdiction of the EC. We do not interfere in their affairs,” he said.
He added that the commission has its own procedures, including demographic studies and other statutory requirements, before any proposal can be finalised.
In July last year, the Sarawak Legislative Assembly passed a Bill to increase the number of state seats from 82 to 99.
However, the additional seats have yet to take effect, as they remain subject to the EC’s redelineation exercise, which includes a public display, a hearing of objections and a review of constituency boundaries.
Once the process is complete, the proposal must be tabled in Parliament for approval before it can be gazetted and implemented ahead of the next state election.
