KOTA KINABALU: As the MP of the huge Tuaran parliamentary constituency, it would take Datuk Seri Madius Tangau almost a year if he visited one village every day.
That’s among the challenges he faces in attending to the needs of his constituents.
“Tuaran is a full district with two sub-districts. Soon, Tamparuli will become a full district. Serving more than 300 villages and 85 schools has been challenging.”
He said that some of the difficulties faced by MPs serving large areas include accessibility, as villages and settlements are scattered, yet representatives are expected to visit them in person.
The population of the Tuaran seat is approaching 140,000, and with an area of 1,200sq km, Tuaran is almost as big as Penang, which has 12 MPs.
Tangau explained that with such a large constituency to be served by one person, the government must understand that the RM4mil a year MP allocation is not enough.
Keningau MP Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, whose constituency is one of the largest in the interior, also spoke of the need to add more seats in the Dewan Rakyat, especially for Sabah.
He said more representation is needed in Sabah, not just based on population density but on the size of the constituencies.
“MPs serving larger areas cannot serve as effectively as MPs in smaller areas,” Kitingan said, adding that having more MPs for the larger areas will benefit the rakyat and help realise the full potential of these areas.
