By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 1: Asajaya assemblyman Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah remains unconvinced that the proposed 17 new Sarawak State constituencies can be implemented in time for the upcoming 13th Sarawak Election, saying the remaining technical and legal processes are unlikely to be completed before the current term of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUNS) expires in December 2026.
While welcoming the Election Commission’s (EC) move to finally display the proposed new constituencies for public inspection, the Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister questioned why the exercise had only commenced more than a year after the DUNS approved the creation of the additional seats and formally notified the commission.
“Alhamdulillah, the EC has started the process of displaying the proposal to the public. However, why is this only being done now, more than a year after the Sarawak DUN approved the 17 new seats and more than a year after the EC was notified?” he said in a message when contacted today.
Abdul Karim said the Sarawak government had pursued the creation of the additional constituencies well in advance to ensure they could be used in the next State election.
However, he noted that several key procedures must still be completed before the new constituencies can take effect, including the public exhibition process, the hearing of objections from voters, parliamentary approval, royal assent by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and the gazetting of the new electoral boundaries.
“Technically, I do not think the process will allow the 17 new seats to be used in the upcoming 13th State election, with the DUNS term expected to end in December 2026,” he said.
He added that the proposal had been tabled early precisely to allow sufficient time for all constitutional and administrative requirements to be fulfilled before the next election.
Abdul Karim also suggested that the EC only began moving on the matter after facing mounting criticism from netizens and the public in recent months.
“After criticism from netizens and the public over the past few months, the EC now appears to be moving forward — seemingly only taking action at the eleventh hour,” he said.
He stressed that the EC must be proactive, firm and impartial in carrying out its responsibilities, and should not wait for instructions from any party before taking action. — DayakDaily
