KUCHING: Finally, the path is now all cleared for Sarawak to have 82 seats for contest in the forthcoming state election with the endorsement of 11 new seats by parliament, Asajaya Assemblyman Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said.
Karim, who is also Assistant Minister of Youth Development (Urban) and Assistant Minister of Housing criticised the opposition parties for alleging in their debates on the motion in parliament that the redelineation was to help BN's hold on to power.
"Little do they know that this delineation will give the small minority races in Sarawak a voice in the DUN. The Orang Ulu, Bidayuh will have more voices as some of the new seats are in areas where this minority are sited.
"Opposition being opposition will only run down whatever good things that the Government will try to do," Karim explained in a text message received yesterday when asked for his comment on the latest endorsement and approval of the eleven new seats by parliament on Tuesday.
The motion on the redelineation of parliamentary and state constituencies in Sarawak was carried on Tuesday through block voting, with 130 MPs supporting and 72 opposing.
The newly approved state seats are N13 Batu Kitang, N17 Stakan, N18 Serembu, N23 Bukit Semuja, N26 Gedong, N40 Kabong, N57 Tellian, N63 Bukit Goram, N66 Murum, N70 Samalaju and N78 Mulu.
The Sarawak Legislative Assembly approved the relevant legislation on the increase in the number of state constituencies from 71 to 82 effective 5 Dec last year.
10 MPs - five from the Barisan Nasional and five from the opposition - spoke during the debate on the motion in Tuesday. The motion was approved as the supporting votes exceeded half of the total 222 members of the house.
The number of parliamentary constituencies still remain at 31 but some had their boundaries altered to suit the creation of the 11 state constituencies.
The last state election was held on 16th April 2011 and the next state election is due by June next year.
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