PAPAR: Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) has renewed its call to have the area from Limbahau to Kaiduan made a new state constituency.
Its secretary general, Datuk Johnny Mositun, said the proposed delineation was needed given the large and growing population in Papar parliamentary constituency.
Speaking to reporters during a Christmas open house here on Wednesday, he said the new constituency which should include the Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM)-majority Simpudu area, would not have much impact on existing state constituencies in Papar.
“The area is suitable to be made a new voting constituency but it’s up to the Election Commission (EC) to decide,” he said.
Should the EC approve PBS’ proposal, he said Papar will have three representatives at the State Legislative Assembly and this will benefit the people in the district as they would have a louder voice in government decision making process.
“If this is approved, Papar will have three state seats including the existing constituencies of Pantai Manis and Kawang.
“The new area is needed to cater for the increasing number of voters in the area. PBS has studied the matter thoroughly and I hope EC will do the same,” he said.
According to him, research conducted by PBS showed that the proposed new voting area has enough population to meet the requirement of a minimum 90,000 residents in every constituency set by the EC.
Johnny, who is also the state deputy speaker, rubbished claims that the government was reluctant to approve the proposal because the KDM communities in the area might be pro opposition.
He stressed although the KDM forms the majority in the proposed new constituency, voters from other ethnics also reside in the area.
Furthermore, he said the people in the area wanted the additional constituency and it is up to them to decide who to vote for in elections.
Also present were PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, deputy president Datuk Seri Panglima Maximus Ongkili and state speaker Datuk Salleh Said.
