By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 12: Former Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Information Chief Datuk Idris Buang has said that expressing frustration should not be interpreted as a demand for representation.
Referring to the latest statement by the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) Sarawak, Idris said that Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar was merely expressing frustration over what appeared to be a slow response or lack of action by the Election Commission in addressing the redelineation of the 17 newly approved state seats by DUS last year, and that there was no intention to seek representation within the Election Commission (EC).
“I feel that Tan Sri Asfia, when he made that statement, he was quite frustrated with the SPR (EC). You know, despite the neutrality, there has been an exorbitant or excessive delay in what do you call, in proceeding with the implementation of 17 new seats.
“Until now, the matter seems to make no headway. There is no news with regards the 17 new seats approved by DUS last year. So he was more or less quite frustrated.
“For him to point out that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) has no representation in EC, doesn’t mean that he wanted representation in EC, but just to show that despite his neutrality, there has been no sense of urgency, no sense of appreciation by EC in terms of looking into the re-delineation of the 17 new seats,” said Idris who is also Deputy DUS speaker and Muara Tuang assemblyman.
Idris pointed out that the urgency of the matter was heightened by the fact that the current term of the DUS will expire in February 2027. In such circumstances, he said, the EC should expedite the necessary processes to ensure the 17 new seats are properly implemented in time for the next state election.
“If you look at the scenario where only very limited time is left till the next State election and that the current DUS will expire in February 2027, there is very little time for EC to proceed with the re-delineation.
“Since last July, when DUN approved 17 new seats, until now, there is no headway by SPR or even Parliament for the matter. That’s why Tan Sri Asfia was more or less registering his frustration when he made the comment on Sunday,” Idris told DayakDaily.
On May 9 (Saturday), Asfia held a press conference at PBB headquarters to brief the media on upcoming DUS which is to be held from May 11 to 20, 2026.
During the press conference, when the media asked for an update on the approved 17 new seats, Asfia said that the Bill on the 17 new State seats had been passed during the previous sitting on July 7, 2025, and was therefore subject to Standing Order 32(3), which prevented any specific question already concluded by DUS from being reconsidered in the same session.
He explained that Standing Order 32(3) stated that it would be out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific question upon which the Dewan had come to a conclusion during the current session, except upon a substantive motion for rescission.
Asfia continued to say that while the EC is still within its constitutional timeframe to complete its duties, it must also take into account the approaching State election.
He was quoted stating that —“Months have passed with no word whether the 17 new seats are in time for the election this year”.
On the composition of the EC, Asfia claimed that the ruling coalition GPS does not have representation in the EC, aside from what he described as a “lone Sarawakian member” who is not from GPS.
He said GPS would continue to function as “the voice of the voiceless” within such national institutions, adding that the EC should be more dynamic and responsive in carrying out its responsibilities.
In response, Bersih Sarawak was quoted on May 12 as saying it was “baffled” by Asfia’s comments regarding GPS having no representation in the EC
The civil society organisation (CSO) was quoted as perturbed by Asfia’s statement about the “lone Sarawakian member in the EC not from GPS”.
In the statement, Bersih Sarawak said that the Election Commission (EC), as the only body responsible for conducting elections, must remain free from the influence of any party, especially political parties and the executive at both state and federal levels, in carrying out its constitutional duties.
It added that Article 114(2) of the Federal Constitution states that the appointment of EC members lies with the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, who must take into account the importance of ensuring an EC that enjoys public confidence.
The group further said that achieving public confidence requires commissioners to be neutral and not favour any party, meaning they should not be affiliated with any political party, whether currently or in the past.
It emphasised that the EC, as the only body responsible for conducting elections, must remain free from the influence of any party, particularly political parties and the executive (whether at the state or federal level), in carrying out its constitutional responsibilities. — DayakDaily
