POLITICAL parties in Sabah still do not know whether the 13 new state seats approved by the state assembly in 2016 will be included in the 14th general election. 

The seats are awaiting Parliament’s approval .

The opposition is preparing for the eventuality that the seats are included in the next polls, but the opposite appears to be true of Barisan Nasional.

Parti Warisan Sabah vice-president Junz Wong said the party was pushing for the inclusion of the new seats in 14 GE.  

He said there should be no reason for Parliament not to approve the seats as the State Legislative Assembly had already endorsed them. 

“Until today, Parliament has not said anything about the 13 new seats. 

“Sabah assemblymen have voted in favour of the new seats but  the process is delayed by the lack of approval from Parliament. It is a disgrace,” he said. 

The Sabah Legislative Assembly in August 2016 voted in favour of the 13 new seats, which it had the right to create every eight years according to the Election Commission (EC).

The 13 new seats are Bengkoka, Mengaris, Pintasan, Pantai Dalit, Darau, Tanjung Dumpil, Dampai, Tulid, Telupid, Sungai Manila, Lamag, Segama, and Kukusan. 

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Yong Teck Lee said it was a breach of the Sabah constitution not to include the new seats in the next election if the new seats had been gazetted and had received the assent of the head of state.

“If, on the other hand, the amendment to the constitution has not been assented to by the head of state nor gazetted, then (the failure to enforce the amendment) makes a mockery of the prestige and supremacy of the Legislative Assembly and signifies failure of governance,” he said.

Meanwhile, a PBS member said Barisan Nasional were not prepared for the inclusion of the new seats in the general election because such a development was highly unlikely.

Requesting anonymity, the assemblyman said the party eyeing six of the 13 state seats. 

“The components of Barisan Nasional are eyeing the new seats, but are not preparing for any candidacy. 

“PBS, if the new seats are included, will field candidates from the nearest branch or division. 

“But for now, we are not preparing any candidate for the seats.” – January 11, 2018.