PARLIAMENT Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak tabled today the Sarawak electoral redelineation report in Parliament to seek approval to increase state seats there from 71 to 81.

The report is expected to be passed today despite the protests of the opposition, particularly from the Sarawak DAP.

This will pave the way for a state election to be conducted as the current term of the Sarawak state legislative assembly will expire in June.

The parliamentary seats in Sarawak remain at 31 under the redelineation exercise, while the state seats increase by 11.

In his speech, Najib addressed the opposition's criticism that there is clear inequality in the redelineation between rural and urban seats.

"It is hard to redelineate the seats equally in term of the numbers of the constituents, given disparities in topography and demography," he said.

He added that factors like location, distance and transport caused population concentration in cities to be far higher than in rural areas.

"Despite this, the Election Commission (EC) had tried its best to reduce the burden of the representatives, especially in areas where the transport infrastructure is limited," he said.

The Sarawak redelineation exercise will be beneficial to the rakyat as representatives can provide better service, leading to higher living standards, he also said.

"In this beautiful country and blessed land that is ruled by BN, a transparent and authoritative government will (come up with measures) to benefit the people," said Najib.

'Extend BN's lifeline'

The new state seats include Batu Kitang, Stakan, Serembu, Bukit Semuja, Gedong, Kabong, Tellian, Bukit Goram, Murum, Samalaju and Mulu.

The Bengoh state seat will change its name to Mambong, Batang Air will be known as Batang Ai while Belawai will change its name to Kuala Rajang. Kidurong will become Tanjong Batu.

Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu) said more state lawmakers were needed in the interior so voters would not need to travel for days just to meet their lawmakers.

Wilson Ugak Kumbong (BN-Hulu Rajang) said the opposition would not have won Kelantan and other states if the EC had no integrity.

Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai) questioned the reason why EC only increased the number of state seats while maintaining the number of parliamentary seats.

"The re-delineation was just meant to extend Sarawak BN's lifeline," she said.

Tn this, Noh Omar (BN-Tanjong Karang) explained: "The House does not need a two-thirds majority to pass (the increment in state seats)."

"You (the opposition) should not slander the EC. You should be thankful to the EC. You are here (as lawmakers) because of the EC," he said.