Civil groups urge EC chief to ensure integrity in Sarawak delineation following leaked document outlining GPS-favoured plan

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, March 7: Several civil society organisations (CSO)s have urged the Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun, to ensure integrity and impartiality in the upcoming delineation exercise in Sarawak following the emergence of a slide deck allegedly outlining a proposed new electoral map.

In a joint statement, the groups said the 98-slide presentation appeared to be a blueprint for the State’s new electoral boundaries that would favour the ruling coalition, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), particularly its anchor party Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB).

They claimed the document details how 17 additional Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) seats could be distributed across the State, including their locations, voter sizes, ethnic composition, and which GPS component party they may be allocated to.

According to the statement, the proposed plan would add seats to only 14 of Sarawak’s 31 parliamentary constituencies, while some large constituencies such as Bandar Kuching would receive none despite having over 109,000 voters as of May 2025.

The groups also noted significant variations in proposed electorate sizes, ranging from 28,949 voters in Seledah under Stampin to only 10,830 voters in Oya under Mukah.

They further claimed the seats were categorised by ethnic majority—seven Malay/Melanau/Kedayan, four Iban, three Chinese, two Bidayuh and one Orang Ulu—and allocated among GPS component parties, including seven for PBB Bumiputera, three each for PBB Pesaka, Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) and Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS), and one for Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).

The organisations said the plan closely resembles a proposal previously reported by media in July 2025, shortly before the DUS approved an increase in State seats from 82 to 99.

They also cited a social media post by a former Kapit division resident showing Sarawak EC officers meeting with federal Deputy Digital Minister Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong and a former Sarawak EC director Datu Takun @ Takon Sunggah, where maps similar to those in the slide deck were reportedly discussed.

“Linking the dots, can the Sarawak public retain any confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the Sarawak EC Office?” the statement questioned.

The civil society groups called on Ramlan to clarify whether he or the EC commissioners had seen the slide deck and whether the commission had authorised any meetings between EC officers and political representatives regarding the delineation exercise.

They also urged the EC to assure the public that the delineation process would be conducted independently and not adopt any proposal that could lead to gerrymandering or malapportionment.

Citing the Federal Constitution, they stressed that constituencies within the same State should have “approximately equal” numbers of voters, while smaller electorates should only be justified in geographically large or remote constituencies facing transportation challenges.

The groups further called on the EC to prioritise reducing the size of several oversized parliamentary constituencies, including Miri, Stampin, Bintulu, Petra Jaya, Sibu, Bandar Kuching and Kota Samarahan, by placing new seats within those areas.

“Place the 17 new seats between these 25 over-sized State constituencies – Senadin, Dudong, Tupong, Pelawan, Kota Sentosa, Batu Lintang, Pujut, Pantai Damai, Batu Kawah, Tanjong Batu, Lambir, Samariang, Batu Kitang, Pending, Nangka, Bukit Assek, Mambong, Stakan, Muara Tuang, Samalaju, Repok, Tarat, Piasau, Tasik Biru and Bukit Kota – with electorate sizes that would be larger than the new State average (for the new total of 99 seats) by more than 33.33 per cent,” they stated.

They also urged the commission to begin the delineation review soon so that it can be completed by July 14, 2027, in accordance with constitutional provisions.

The statement was jointly issued by Projek Stability and Accountability for Malaysia (Projek SAMA), Bersih, Engage, Persatuan Pemangkin Daya Masyarakat (ROSE) Sarawak and Tindak Malaysia. – DayakDaily

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