PUTRAJAYA: The 13 additional state assembly seats in Sabah can reduce the electoral gap and create balanced representation especially in rural and remote areas in the state, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Liew Vui Keong.
The Batu Sapi member of parliament said almost all rural and remote areas in Sabah were getting additional new seats.
“However, electoral balance is not the only major factor to be considered, instead this delineation is also aimed at facilitating the people’s representatives to serve the people and to take care of their welfare.
“In addition, this delineation will also boost Sabah’s socio-economic growth, especially in the rural and remote areas towards improving the the people’s living standards,” he said when officiating the ‘Make A Change, Let’s Do It Together’ forum here yesterday.
Also present was Election Commission chairman Azhar Azizan Harun.
The Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday approved the review of the redelineation of electoral boundaries in Sabah, that will increase the number of state legislative seats in Sabah from 60 to 73.
Meanwhile, touching on lowering the voting age to 18, Liew said it showed democratic maturity.
“In order to empower young people to participate in the democratic process, this measure (lowering the voting age), gives them the opportunity, space and voice to work together in shaping and promoting the nation’s democracy via elections,” he said.
History was made on Tuesday when the Dewan Rakyat passed the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019 to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 years. — Bernama