‘No’ to EC lines
Committee formed to come up with plan that will benefit all
The Election Commission’s redelineation proposals have run into a brick wall. All Barisan Nasional component parties, including Umno, do not agree with the commission’s proposals and the coalition has set up a committee to draw up its own ‘fairer’ proposals for the redrawing of electoral boundaries.
KUALA LUMPUR: All Barisan Nasional components, including Umno, do not agree with the Election Commission’s (EC) proposed redelineation of electoral boundaries and will submit a proposal that is “fair” to all parties.
“Barisan, including Umno, has differing opinions on the EC’s early proposal because there are many effects and implications that need consideration from many aspects,” Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said after chairing the coalition’s supreme council meeting yesterday.
He said Barisan had formed a committee headed by secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, with its members comprising the secretaries-general of all component parties.
“Barisan will consolidate its views on the proposed redelineation exercise in order to reach a decision that is seen as fair to all parties,” he said.
Asked if Umno would benefit the most with the EC’s proposals, Najib, who is also Prime Minister, said this was not the case.
“It is not right to say that Umno accepts the proposed redelineation in its entirety. Even within the party, there are different views on the matter.
“It is not just about the seats in Barisan’s hands but also about the views on all parliamentary and state seats,” he said.
He noted that the EC’s proposal was merely a preliminary suggestion and not a final decision.
“It has to go through an engagement process with the rakyat before we can make a final decision on whether this redelineation is fair.
“Full engagement should also be done with all political parties including the Opposition as they have a right to give their views,” he said.
Najib said the Barisan redelineation committee would submit its proposal before the EC’s three-week deadline for objections.