Fahmi says Sarawak redelineation has begun but gives no election deadline (VIDEO)

KUCHING, Sept 16 — Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil announced that the electoral boundary review had commenced in Sarawak, but refrained from providing a deadline for its completion. The Election Commission (EC) confirmed that several matters needed to be resolved before a further announcement regarding a Cabinet presentation of the process.

Fahmi emphasized the commitment of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the EC to expedite the redelineation process. Earlier, Anwar had pledged to increase the proportion of parliamentary representation for Sabah and Sarawak, in accordance with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and seeking constitutional amendments for enhanced representation from both states.

EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun revealed in a statement on Sept 13 that the commission would review the electoral boundaries, contingent upon amendments to the Federal Constitution. The EC would release additional information once an official decision was made and suitable developments could be communicated to the public. During a ROSE Info Session on the Sarawak Electoral Boundary Review on Sept 8, the EC disclosed that the review encompassed multiple stages in the Thirteenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution and that the current public display of proposed recommendations and draft electoral boundaries would continue until Sept 30, allowing for submissions opposing the proposed boundaries.