KOTA KINABALU: The proposed new state seats in Sabah is not focused just on racial composition but on areas that need improvement in order to better serve the people there.
This was the response by Sabah Deputy Chief Minister cum State Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah, who is also vice-president, over news that the state will see 13 new seats under the re-delination process.
“We have 13 seats drawn on specific areas. I cannot say more until we know in terms of population (for the respective new seats), but this is what we wanted to do; it is an exercise to reach out to serve more people.
“So, when it comes to which party gets what seat, I think the competition is about who can come out with the best representation, not how much which party can get but who can serve the people more - this is how Gerakan will propose (its request) for seats.
“For this matter, it has to go to Barisan Nasional. The component parties will sit down, talk and decide. This is always the practise in BN," he stressed.
State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said the additional seats was a good indication of the increase of population, and is necessary to effectively serve the constituents.
Masidi dismissed claims that the majority of seats seemed to be leaning to Umno, and said no allocation have yet been made to parties.
“The creation of proposed new areas were done by the Election Commission, which has no connection to any political party. While many of them (new seats) seem to indicate a Bumiputera majority, it is simply because the particular areas have grown in population," he reasoned.
Meanwhile, State Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang, who is also the Liberal Democratic Party president, welcomed the 13 new proposed seats, adding it was time for Sabah to undergo a re-delineation exercise.
“We are happy that the EC has listed Bengkoka as a new state seat under the Kudat parliamentary, but we will review the details thoroughly in this one-month period because as far as I know, the composition has not been studied," said the Tanjong Kapor assemblyman.
Teo also noted that there was a need for Sabah to have a re-delineation exercise as the last one was done 13 years ago.
Science Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Madius Tangau said United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Organisation (Upko) would discuss any necessary proposals with regards to the new seats.
“As for Upko, we had proposed 13 seats but not all were taken into consideration. Needless to say, we hope that the new seats will be distributed fairly among the component parties.
“Our stand is that a component party should not contest in more than half of the newly-proposed seats," said the Tuaran MP.
The proposed recommendations for new seats listed by EC are N.02 Bengkoka, N.06 Mangaris, N.08 Pintasan, N.13 Pantai Dalit, N.17 Darau, N.24 Tanjung Dumpil, N.27 Dambai, N.44 Tulid, N.47 Telupid, N.51 Sungai Manila, N.58 Lamag, N.61Segama, and N.70 Kukusan.
A copy of the proposed recommendations, along with the draft constituencies plan for Sabah, can be reviewed starting today up to Oct 14 at post offices and district offices across the state.
Any objection to the proposed recommendations can be submitted in writing to the Sabah EC office.
In August, the state legislative assembly sitting approved a motion for the establishment of 13 new state seats. With the increase in seats, the overall total of the state constituencies for Sabah will stand at 73 constituencies.