“SUPP is not in favour of the re delineation proposal announced by the Election commission on 15^th September as it put too much emphasis on racial and religious breakdown of the seats.” Stated by SUPP Central Assistant Treasurer Mr Robert Lau Hui Yew.

Although this round of re delineation exercise does not affect Sarawak, SUPP urges Election Commission to restudy the redelineation exercise. The exercise involves, among others, the creation of 13 new state seats in Sabah. Based on the feedback the party has obtained, the new seats are created based on racial and religious lines. Of the 13 new seats proposed, six are Muslim bumiputra majority seats and 4 with equal Muslim and non-Muslim bumiputra seats. Only two seats are non-Muslim bumiputra seats.

SUPP believes there should not be racial segregation of the voters by way of seats delineation. It is against the multi racial set up of this country. This does not bode well for racial integration. Instead, it will fan politicians to appeal to their base, with race and religion as the lowest common denominator.

While our leaders continuously call for more integration among the people starting from the children in schools to Khidmat Negara programs, the election process should take the lead to encourage common and shared views irrespective of race and religion.

Moderate leaders will have little chance to be elected. If election is dominated by issues of race and religion and if our leaders are elected based on race and religion then the future for the country will not be good.  What this country needs is more moderate leaders that focus on common issues irrespective of race or religion.

SUPP made a similar stand during the same exercise by Election Commission in 2014 for Sarawak only. The proposal by Election Commission recommended for the increase of the State seats by 11 seats, from 71 to 82.  SUPP objection was on the vast difference in the number of voters between the constituencies. As an example, the new seat of N26 Gedong has the least number of voters, 6,340; the seat with the most voters is N54 Pelawan with 31,388. This is a ratio of 1 to 5.

The same situation is happening in Sabah with this proposal. We urged Election Committee to honour the basic principle of democracy that of one man one vote.

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