Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom
KUCHING: The High Court’s decision on the Election Commission (EC)’s re-delineation exercise will not affect the state BN’s preparations for the 11th state elections, which must be called by June 2016.
State BN secretary Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said the ruling coalition was not concerned when the High Court in Kuching on Monday declared as null and void and of no legal effect the EC’s Notice of Delineation dated last Jan 5.
He said it did not matter whether there would be 71 or 82 constituencies in the coming state polls.
The issue, he said, was best left to the EC and the Attorney-General’s (AG) Chambers to sort out, including whether to file an appeal.
“If they (EC) don’t want to appeal, it is up to them, but we believe the AG Chambers will know what direction to take.
“Whatever the decision, it will not affect the state BN’s preparation for the next state election.
“As far as we are concern, whether there would be 71 or 82 seats doesn’t matter. We are here to serve and deliver what we have promised the people,” Dr Rundi told reporters at Wisma Bapa Malaysia yesterday.
He added that the BN’s focus was to keep working for the betterment of the people.
On Monday, Justice Datuk Yew Jen Kie made an additional order to declare EC’s Notice of Delineation as null and void and of no legal effect as it was not in accordance with the Federal Constitution.
Last May 15, Yew had ordered the EC to republish the notice of its re-delineation exercise “in full compliance with the provisions contained in the Thirteenth Schedule of the Federal Constitution.”
The case came about following a judicial review filed by state PKR vice chairman See Chee How and Ulu Baram voter Pauls Baya.
Yew agreed with See’s contention that there was a serious and considerable lack of details in the Jan 5 notice for affected voters to make a decision.
With the latest ruling, the EC would have to go through the process all over again under Section 4 of the Thirteenth Schedule, such as republishing the notice and carry out enquiries before the recommendation is tabled in Parliament.
Earlier this year, EC proposed 11 new state constituencies, namely Batu Kitang, Stakan, Serembu, Triboh, Gedong, Kabong, Tellian, Selirik, Murum, Samalaju following an amendment to the State Constitution last Dec 5.
The EC had also proposed to change the name for Mambong parliamentary constituency to Puncak Borneo. It also proposed name changes to four state seats – Bengoh to Mambong, Batang Air to Batang Ai, Belawai to Kuala Rajang, and Kidurong to Tanjung Batu.
In addition, the EC also proposed to move Batu Lintang state constituency from under Stampin parliamentary constituency to Bandar Kuching following its proposal to place Batu Kitang under Stampin parliamentary constituency.