KUCHING: The coming Sarawak state election should include the 17 new state seats proposed in the Election Commission's (EC) redelineation exercise, says Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.
The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) secretary-general said this had significant implications for a future increase of parliamentary seats in Sarawak.
"The 17 new seats will increase the number of state seats from 82 to 99.
"The 99 seats will then be the basis for increasing the number of parliamentary constituencies in the coming years," he told reporters after the Sarawak construction industry's integrity and excellence day here on Thursday (Aug 6).
Nanta said increasing Sarawak's parliamentary seats was important towards restoring one-third parliamentary representation for Sarawak and Sabah.
This in turn would safeguard the interests of Sarawak and Sabah, he said.
"With one-third representation, any constitutional amendment or new laws that affect the interests of Sabah and Sarawak cannot be approved in Parliament without support from both states," he said.
Sarawak currently has 31 parliamentary seats and Sabah 25 out of the total 222 seats.
Nanta also welcomed the EC's redelineation exercise, adding that he hoped it would be completed in time for the state polls.
"The 17 new seats were already approved by the Sarawak Legislative Assembly last year.
"The increase still needs to be endorsed by Parliament, which will take time," he said.
