Upko: Create more MP seats in the West Coast
Published on: Monday, January 12, 2015
KUALA PENYU: United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) hopes the coming re-delineation exercise of electoral boundaries for parliamentary seats in Sabah would involve the West Coast more in order to better serve the people in the area.Its Acting President Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau said the last re-delineation exercise for parliamentary seats in the State was largely in the East Coast."In the last re-delineation exercise, more parliamentary seats were created in the East Coast and there was a perception that the move was to accommodate the new voters.
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"Therefore, the number of parliamentary seats should be commensurate…by giving more to the West Coast this time...so as to compensate the previous exercise. Very clear," he said.Tangau said this to reporters at the Upko's Christmas Open House and New Year 2015 celebration held at the residence of Upko Beaufort Deputy Chief, Fredoline Pinggo, at Kg Kayul, here, Saturday.Also present were Kuala Penyu Assemblyman cum Upko Beaufort Divisional Chief Limus Jury, Rural Development Assistant Minister Datuk Nilwan Kabang, Sabah Cultural Board Chairman Datuk Wences Angang, former Kuala Penyu Assemblyman John Teo Mau Sing and Umno Beaufort Divisional Chief Datuk Isnain Aliasnih.Tangau was commenting on the proposed re-delineation exercise of state and parliamentary seats in Sabah.
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"As far as the State Assembly is concerned, the various State Assembly members have no restriction against the passing of any proposal (to increase the State seats), but it has to be tabled in Parliament."When they table it in the Parliament, all it takes is a simple majority. So from the Barisan Nasional (BN) government point of view, there is no problem in tabling any proposed amendments or bills pertaining to the State election boundaries.
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"However, when the Election Commission (EC) tables a proposal to increase parliamentary seats, they will have to do it in the Parliament. The law also says that the Government will have to prepare a necessary bill to be tabled in the Parliament," he said."Therefore, there is a question mark whether or not it (proposed amendment) will be passed or not…there is also a question whether we should table it or not," he said.On the optimum number (for parliamentary seats to be increased in Sabah), Tangau said there is a principle that the number of parliamentary seats for Sabah and Sarawak must be consistent with the number of parliamentary seats created for Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore before formation of Malaysia in 1963. "At that time, the total number of seats (in 1963) was 104, 16 for Sabah, 24 for Sarawak and Singapore (15), while the rest were in the peninsula. But when Singapore was kicked out, the 15 seats should be allocated to Sabah and Sarawak to ensure any proposed amendments get the support of both states. It does not only concern increasing the seats but it must also be proportionate," he said.Tangau, who is also Tuaran MP, said since the BN does not have two-third majority, it is imperative for the Opposition to support (proposed amendments to increase parliamentary seats) so that Sabah and Sarawak achieve the rightful number of parliamentary seats.To a question, he said the party had long submitted its proposal on increase of seats to Sabah EC for consideration. However, he refused to reveal the number of seats. He said the principle of the re-delineation exercise of election boundary should be based on several principles, such as all tribes in Sabah must be represented in the State Legislative Assembly. "This is a basic principle," he said, adding that another principle is the creation of the seats must facilitate the elected people representatives so that they could better serve their constituents."The re-delineation exercise should not cause one area which is changed become smaller and some areas become bigger when the allocation (for the elected people representatives) are the same. Therefore, the number of seats must be proportionate to the number of people and voters," he said.On January 7, a local paper quoted Sabah EC Director Datuk Md Idrus Ismail as saying that the Sabah EC has submitted the proposed re-delineation for Sabah to its headquarters. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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