13 new State seats approved
Published on: Wednesday, August 10, 2016
Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah State Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed two Bills to increase the number of seats in the Assembly from 60 to 73.Fifty-five assemblymen and women voted in favour of the Bills while three others, namely Dr Roland Chia (Inanam), Terrence Siambun (Moyog) and Chan Foong Hin (Sri Tanjung), opposed. Likas Assemblyman Junz Wong abstained, while Lahad Datu Assemblyman Datuk Mohd Yusof Apdal was absent during the voting.
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Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang tabled the Bills to amend Article 14 clause (2) of the State Constitution and Section 2 of the Legislative Assembly (Elected Members) Enactment 1965 to increase the number of elected members in the Assembly from 60 to 73.Teo, in his winding-up speech, said under Article 113 of the Federal Constitution, the Election Commission (EC) can conduct a review whether there is a need to increase seats or carry out a re-delineation exercise of boundaries every eight years.The last time Sabah underwent a re-delineation exercise was in 2003 where the number of State seats was increased from 48 to 60.Teo said the amendment was timely because after 13 years there is a need for better services on the part of the elected members to ensure that the rights of the people are protected.
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He clarified, however, that the State Government cannot meddle in this matter as the commission is an independent body."Some of the 'Yang Berhormat' may not be clear about the procedures concerning this amendment.
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We must realise that a re-delineation exercise falls under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission, not under the Parliament, State Legislative Assembly or the Government," he said.But, he said, there will be a process whereby views, recommendations or objections can be put forward to the commission after the amendment is gazetted and published in all constituencies."This is a democratic process. If there are views and objections from the YBs, they can do it through this forum," he explained.When debating the motion, Pantai Manis Assemblyman Datuk Seri Rahim Ismail, who is also the State Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club Chairman, said the move was not meant to give an advantage to any political parties, including Umno-BN."Instead it will give an opportunity and new challenge for elected representatives to give their best services, irrespective of what political party they represent. We must give priority on how to improve our services to the people," he said.Kemabong Assemblyman Datuk Rubin Balang echoed Rahim's statement and appealed to the Election Commission to ensure a balanced distribution of the 13 additional State seats so that all ethnic groups are well represented."Give priority to districts that have never had an additional seat. For example, the Tenom Parliamentary seat that has never seen any additional (State) seats for the past 30 years. I hope whatever the decision of the Election Commission, it will reflect a balanced distribution among the ethnic communities," he said.Sabah's opposition leader Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin welcomed the move but issued a reminder to the Election Commission to maintain fairness in the seat distribution so that the people can choose their respective representative to the Legislative Assembly in a democratic manner.He stressed that what must come out of the exercise is quality service from either government or opposition representatives to the people so their problems can always be heard."As an opposition, we don't blindly oppose the Government. We oppose when there are grouses from the people. But I believe this is a good intention on the part of the Government. Other states have increased (their elected members). 'Time has come for us to increase in Sabah as we move towards achieving the Vision 2020. So we have no problem supporting this," he said.There was, however, a question raised on the decision to fix only 13 seats."Why 13 and not 14 or 10. Or 15 for that matter. What is the criteria? I'm confused," said Bingkor Assemblyman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. Libaran Assemblyman Datuk Seri Musa Aman stood up to clarify that it was proposed by the Election Commission."This was proposed by the Election Commission which is an independent body. We (State Government) has got nothing to do with it," said Musa, who is also the Sabah Chief Minister. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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