THE report on the re-delineation of electoral constituencies to be tabled in Parliament soon might give Barisan Nasional the upper hand to reclaim Selangor, said a DAP lawmaker.

Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming said the report might be based on the first re-delineation proposal by the Election Commission, affecting 18 constituencies, instead of just five.

“Based on the information that we received from those in the know, the second proposal will be withdrawn and replaced with the first proposal during the tabling, which would be done without following the federal constitution.

“This will give the advantage to BN to wrest Selangor.”

Therefore, he said, he wants to give an advance warning to Selangor voters that the move will likely erode their rights to elect the leaders of their choice.

But, he said, opposition leaders will fight against the move.

“We will fight for you, in and outside Parliament, to stop this. This is more likely done with bad intention, or mala fide.”

Lim Kit Siang (Gelang Patah-DAP) said the five parliamentary constituencies affected in the EC’s second re-delineation proposal are Tanjong Karang, Kuala Selangor, Gombak, Ampang and Pandan.

The EC’s first proposal suggests boundary changes for Selayang, Hulu Langat, Bangi, Puchong, Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya Selatan, Petaling Jaya Utara, Subang, Shah Alam, Kapar, Kota Raja and Kuala Langat, in addition to the five constituencies.

Lim said under the EC’s first proposal, the parliamentary constituency of Petaling Jaya Utara (P106), currently held by Tony Pua, will be turned into Damansara by merging Petaling Jaya Utara with parts of Selayang, Bukit Lanjan, Sungai Buloh and Kepong.

“It will turn P106 into a seat with a massive population, from 85,000 voters to almost 150,000 voters, thus, making it one of the largest seats in the country.

“The proposed Damansara parliamentary seat will have four times more voters than Sabak Bernam and about 10 times that of Putrajaya.”

He previously suggested the formation of a parliamentary select committee (PSC) to look through the EC’s re-delineation draft if it is brought to the House tomorrow.

He said ample time is needed to look through the report before voting is done, adding that Parliament should not be used as a rubber stamp to pass the draft report in haste.

“Parliament should not be a rubber stamp. It should have time to look at the report, and to study it and take a position.

“I suggest a PSC be formed to study the EC’s report before a vote is taken. There should be at least four weeks for the committee go through the series of proposals.” – March 21, 2018.