Dewan Rakyat: PM tables motion to increase Sarawak state constituencies

The motion on the Report on the Redelineation of Sarawak Electoral Boundaries says the recommendations were gazetted on Dec 5 last year.

"The new constituencies are Batu Kitang, Stakan, Serembu, Bukit Semuja, Gedong, Kabong, Tellian, Bukit Goram, Murum, Samalaju and Mulu," Najib said when tabling the motion.

He said these additional constituencies would help to enhance the services elected representatives delivered to the people.

"They will facilitate interaction between the elected representatives and the constituents on matters associated with the welfare of the people and help towards development in the constituencies," he said.

Najib said there was no change to the number of federal constituencies but redelineation had been done in view of the formation of the new state constituencies.

A recommendation had been made to change the name of one federal constituency, P198, from Mambong to Puncak Borneo, he said.

"It has also been proposed that the names of four state constituencies be changed - N19, from Bengoh to Mambong; N34, from Batang Air to Batang Ai; N41, from Belawai to Kuala Rajang and N68, from Kidurong to Tanjong Batu," he said.

The premier said it was difficult to allocate an equal number of constituents for every federal and state constituency in Sarawak due to the varying nature of the rural topography and demography.

"This has indirectly created limitations in terms of remoteness of locations, great distances between locations in remote areas as well as limited transportation links and modes of transport.

"As a result, the concentration of the population in the urban areas is far higher than the number of people in the rural areas," he said.

Najib said the Election Commission tried its best to ease the burden of elected representatives, especially in areas where transportation links and modes of transport are limited.

"It is hoped that these recommendations can help the elected representatives to make the delivery of services more efficient and effective and raise the economic standard and spur development in the rural areas," he said.

The PM said the government had studied closely these recommendations and did not propose any modification because the redelineation exercise had been undertaken based on the provisions in the Federal Constitution.