We would like to give our views on the statement of the Sarawak state Election Commission (EC) director Takun Sunggah who said the delineation exercise would start in December, and the last one in 2001 had produced nine additional seats.

“This time, there may be more than nine (seats), or it could be less. It all depends on the EC,” he told The Borneo Post recently. Sarawak has 31 parliamentary and 71 legislative assembly seats, and the state covers 124.449 square kilometres, an area almost as big as peninsular Malaysia.

The EC will start delineation exercise of constituencies for the parliamentary and assembly seats in Malaysia in early 2014. It is enshrined in the constitution that a delineation exercise should be done every 10 years based on the geography and topography of the area, the level of development, demographics, utilities and communication, and the ability of the government (state and federal) to cover the costs involved with additional assembly and parliamentary seats.

A review of the delineation exercise of constituencies for parliamentary elections and the state is one of the responsibilities of the Election Commission as stipulated under Article 113 of the constitution. Each constituency should contain a number of voters who live in areas that can be identified.

Delineation exercise of the State as endorsed by the EC

1968 P 24 N 48

1977 P 24 N 48

1987 P 27 N 56 Additional P 3 N 8

1996 P 28 N 62 Additional P 1 N 6

2005 P 31 N 71 Additional P 3 N 9

If we follow the above reference, Sarawak indeed needs more parliamentary constituencies and new state legislative assembly seats to facilitate the smooth administration of the state. Although many of the people of Sarawak live in scattered areas far from urban areas, this needs to be reviewed to meet the needs of the population so that they can fulfill their rights as voters.

For example, the Senadin constituency with a dense population and more than 30,000 voters should be split into two constituency areas. The Senadin constituency covers Kuala Baram, Senadin, Tudan, and Permyjaya including Lopeng area, Tanjong Lobang, Luak and Riam should be separated according to their area of locality.

Lopeng area localities Riam and Luak are separated by Piasau and Pujut constituency. The population density in the area of Lopeng, Riam, Luak, and including new housing areas on the Miri airport road, is enough to enable it to be a new constituency of Sarawak.

Probably a lot more new Sarawak state and Parliament constituencies need to be reviewed before the 14th general election which has to take place by June 2016.

We urge the EC to carry out its duties honourably and fairly regardless of race, religion and political ideology so that people can choose their representatives without any element that could divide the solidarity in the country. Cooperation with the relevant authorities to carry out this task effectively is greatly appreciated.

JOFRI JARAIEE is Sarawak PAS deputy commissioner III-cum-Miri PAS chief.