KUALA LUMPUR: A Penang Umno delegate has called for a careful electoral boundary redelineation, citing concerns that aggressive development and demographic changes could erode the Malay-majority status of several parliamentary constituencies in the state.
Batu Kawan Umno division chief Datuk Mohd Noor Ahmad said unchecked development continues to encroach on Malay villages, warning that it could erode the Malay-majority status of several parliamentary constituencies.
"For example, Bayan Baru was regarded as a Malay parliamentary seat in the 1990s, and a Malay representative was elected there.
"Even in 2008, the parliamentary seat was still held by a Malay representative.
"What about now? Uncontrolled development has ultimately eroded Bayan Baru’s status as a Malay parliamentary constituency," he said while debating the president's policy speech at the Annual General Assembly on Saturday (Jan 17).
Looking at the unchecked development in Kepala Batas, Tasek Gelugor, Balik Pulau, Permatang Pauh, and Nibong Tebal, he said there was a growing concern that these areas may similarly lose their status as Malay parliamentary constituencies, as happened in Bayan Baru.
"I urged the party president to carefully consider any proposal for electoral boundary redelineation during the current administrative term.
"If new parliamentary constituencies are to be created, boundaries should not be redrawn only in non-Malay constituencies, as this would increase the representation of their parties in government.
"It must be ensured that the targeted Malay parliamentary constituencies also result in the creation of more Malay-majority seats, so that parliamentary representation truly reflects the actual Malay population.
"If this cannot be achieved, then under the “Rumah Besar Bangsa” framework, Umno, as a component party of the unity government, should reject any proposed redelineation," he said.
