GE14: Opposition will be hit hard by redelineation, says Kit Siang

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission’s redelineation motion that was passed in Parliament Wednesday will jeopardise the Opposition’s chances in the general election, said Lim Kit Siang.

“Definitely yes, but if there is a political tsunami nationwide, then I think we will overcome that,” the Gelang Patah MP told reporters on Wednesday.

Lim was speaking at a press conference in Parliament after the redelineation motion was passed with a vote of 129 for and 80 against.

He was accompanied by Pakatan Harapan president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, Seremban MP Anthony Loke, and several other Opposition lawmakers.

The DAP stalwart alleged that the Federal Constitution has been violated, as the embargo on the EC’s redelineation report was only lifted shortly before it was debated and voted on by lawmakers in the House.

“The embargo was lifted today and the motion was debated itself today. This is extraordinary … this is Parliament in The Twilight Zone.

“MPs should have enough time to discuss with voters to get public feedback on the redelineation proposal.

“Lawmakers don’t operate in a vacuum; the report must be made public so we can get feedback from voters,” he added.

Meanwhile, Loke pointed out that Lim's vote on the motion wasn't counted because he had been suspended from Parliament for six months just before the motion was debated.

“We object to that. There should have been 81 votes opposing the motion,” Loke added.

Dr Wan Azizah asked why no extra parliamentary or state seats were added in the redelineation exercise, and claimed that the motion was bulldozed through.

She said Pakatan is protesting because it believes the redelineation favours the people in power although the EC is supposed to be independent and neutral.

“As we said, we are hoping and praying for voters to open their eyes and vote for change,” she said.

The Opposition MPs also protested against what they see as double standards by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, who has disallowed discussion on the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) issue because of an ongoing court case.

“The Speaker said it is sub judice to discuss 1MDB although the case is in a foreign court,” said Kuala Terengganu MP Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad.

“Today, we have court cases on the redelineation report in Penang and Selangor, but the Speaker allowed the motion to go on,” he added.

Now that the motion on the redelineation has been passed, it will be gazetted upon receiving the Royal assent.