OPEN HOUSE: Japlin is all smiles when entertaining his VIP guests (seated left to right) Salleh, Rahman, Musbah and Lagadan (standing right).
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno Youth chief Datuk Japlin Akim is all for the proposal for the re-delineation or additional seats for the state.
Stressing that it is all in the name of greater democracy in the country, the Usukan assemblyman added that with additional seats, it would also bring about more representatives either at the state assembly or parliament, thus providing a louder voice for the people.
“If we have more representatives in parliament or in the state assembly, the people will have a louder voice and channels to express their views, grouses and dissatisfaction because this is what democracy is all about,” said Japlin.
He was responding to Parti Bersatu Sabah information chief Datuk Johnny Mositun who called on the Election Commission to consider creating one or two more parliamentary constituencies and between four to six new state seats between Papar and Sipitang.
He made the call in view of the rapid infrastructure development, economic growth and population increase taking place along the West Coast.
“This will not only provide for more effective and efficient political representation for the rakyat in this rapidly developing part of the start but also lighten the heavy workload and responsibilities of the elected representatives,” said Mositun when launching the PBS Klias division annual general meeting, recently, adding that if new parliamentary seats were given, it would be for more effective representation and service to the people.
Meanwhile, on another development, Japlin, who is also the Assistant Infrastructure Development Minister, however foresee a more exciting general election as most political parties are hoping to get more seats to contest.
“But this kind of situation should be settled wisely and I believe the leaders have their ways to make the best decision to overcome it,” he told reporters during the Raya Open House at his residence in Taman BDC, Kolombong, near here, on Thursday night.
The evening was made memorable with the presence of his colleagues in the Barisan Nasional, namely Kota Belud Member of Parliament Datuk Rahman Dahlan, Assistant Agriculture and Food Industry Minister cum Tempasuk assemblyman Datuk Musbah Jamli, Assistant Community Development and Consumers Affairs Minister cum Kadamaian assemblyman Datuk Herbert Timbun Lagadan and State Speaker Datuk Seri Salleh Tun Said Keruak.
Some 1,000 people attended the event.