BN forms committee to streamline response to EC's redelineation exercise

A committee will be formed to streamline the Barisan Nasional response to the Election Commission's redelineation exercise.

Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the committee will be headed by BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor with representation from all component parties.

"So, through this committee, we will consolidate all views and proposals on the redelienation. Hopefully, we can arrive at a decision that is seen to be fair by all parties.

"The committee will meet as soon as possible in keeping with the EC's timeframe (for feedback) and as per the relevant laws," he told a press conference after chairing a meeting of the BN Supreme Council at Menara Dato' Onn here today.

The EC announced that it was conducting a redelienation exercise on parliamentary and state seats in the peninsula and Sabah beginning Sept 15.

EC secretary Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh had said that the redelineation was being conducted based on provisions under Clause (2), Article 113 of the Federal Constitution and amendments to Clause (2), Article 14 of the Sabah State Constitution, which was gazetted on Aug 18.

When asked whether the 14th General Election would be held after the redelineation was gazetted, Najib said it all depended on the decision by the EC.

Also present at the meeting were Tengku Adnan, MCA President Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, MIC President Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam, Gerakan President Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, Sarawak BN chairman Tan Sri Adenan Satem, PBS President Tan Sri Joseph Kurup and MyPPP president Tan Sri M. Kayveas.

Meanwhile, Liow said the establishment of the committee was reasonable as the redelineation exercise would impact to all component parties in BN.

"MCA has proposed the forming of the committee because it will affect MCA the most. A lot of the seats we are contesting are urban seats. That is why we have to look back at the proposed redelineation," he said.