By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 14: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is ready to face any eventuality following speculations that the ongoing redelineation exercise conducted by the Election Commission (EC) may give rise to more urban seats.
In a press conference called on the sidelines of Sarawak Legislative Asssembly today, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah when asked by the media, speculated that some urban constituencies such as Senadin and Tupong may be affected in the redelineation exercise.
“For GPS, we will adhere to any seats even if it is an urban area. It is up to us to work hard and make our presence felt in the urban areas.
“I believe the urban voters are also rational. If they see you are looking after Sarawak very well, they will vote for you,” said Abdul Karim who is also Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister and, Youth and Sports Minister.
Abdul Karim said according to the Federal Constitution, redelineation to increase seats are allowed every eight years for Sarawak’s State and parliamentary constituencies.
“The time is due to redelineate both electoral boundaries (for State and parliamentary seats) as the last exercise was done about eight years ago or 2015,” said the Asajaya assemblyman (GPS-PBB).
He said EC had initiated its redelineation exercise to determine which constituencies needed to be resized due to the huge number of voters of more than 100,000 such as those of Senadin and Tupong for State constituencies and Miri, for parliamentary seat.
On GPS secretary general Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi’s proposal for four new Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) seats to be created out of the three parliamentary seats of Kanowit, Kapit and Hulu Rajang, Abdul Karim said many leaders would want to request their areas to be redelineated, but the final say lies with the EC. — DayakDaily
