More seats, better representation: SUPP Stakan branch chief supports potential Sarawak redelineation

Borneo Post

a day ago

Sim says social and economic issues can be heard and tackled more effectively, ultimately improving the quality of life for all Sarawakians.
KUCHING (June 28): Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) Stakan branch chairman Dato Sim Kiang Chiok believes that an increase in the number of state and parliamentary seats in Sarawak would be a positive development, even though talks on redelineation remain speculative at this stage.
'As for how potential new boundaries could impact the next election, I believe that having more constituencies will enhance representation for Sarawakians.
'With more elected representatives, we can better address the unique challenges faced by both urban and rural communities.
'Social and economic issues can be heard and tackled more effectively, ultimately improving the quality of life for all Sarawakians,' he said in a statement todau.
Sim was responding to news reports speculating that a motion to increase the number of constituencies in Sarawak could be tabled during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) special sitting this July 7.
He clarified that only the redelineation of state constituencies could be tabled and decided in the DUN, whereas parliamentary constituencies would fall under the federal jurisdiction and require action at the national level.
'Beyond redelineation, it is also possible that the Sarawak government during the July 7 special DUN sitting may have other pressing priorities to address first, such as matters relating to Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) or Sarawak's rights over oil and gas resources, both of which are fundamental to our state's autonomy and economic future,' he said.
'Regarding the timing of a redelineation, our laws stipulate that redelineation exercises must be carried out within a certain time frame to ensure fair and updated representation.
'Therefore, if the timeline under the Federal Constitution is approaching while also taking into account of the adjustment for one third of parliamentary seats for Sarawak and Sabah, it would be both necessary and timely to conduct a redelineation to reflect current realities on the ground and agreement in our MA63,' he added.
Asked about how many new state seats would make sense for Sarawak, Sim believed that the Election Commission (EC) would propose a number based on established criteria, including population size, the number of voters, and geographical considerations.
'These objective measures will help ensure a fair and balanced representation across our vast state. However, it is critical to recognise that population numbers alone should not be the only factor guiding redelineation in Sarawak.'
Sim pointed out Sarawak's unique geography, marked by expansive rural areas with low population density, meant that many communities were spread far apart and infrastructure in some of these areas remained underdeveloped.
'As such, redrawing boundaries solely based on population without considering physical size and accessibility would place an undue burden on the elected representatives, who would struggle to effectively serve constituents across vast, sparsely populated territories.
'While the prospect of a redelineation exercise has generated understandable interest, it is vital that we approach this issue with clarity, patience, and a firm commitment to fair representation.
'Thus, I urge all stakeholders to stay engaged and informed as developments unfold, so that any decision made truly serves the best interests of our beloved Sarawak.' redelineation Sim Kiang Chiok