Kota Kinabalu: Former Senator Datuk John Ambrose has called for a review of the electoral boundaries in Penampang, saying the time has come for the constituency to be given one additional parliamentary seat and two additional State Legislative Assembly seats, in addition to the existing Moyog and Kapayan constituencies.
He said the proposal should be considered in view of Penampang’s substantial population growth, expanding economic base, rapid urbanisation and the major transformation taking place with the completion and progressive opening of the Pan Borneo Highway.
“Penampang today is no longer the Penampang of the past. It has grown into a major residential, commercial and economic centre within the greater Kota Kinabalu urban area.
“The population has increased substantially, businesses have expanded and development is moving rapidly. Our political representation must therefore keep pace with the realities on the ground,” he said to Daily Express, here, recently.
According to Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) data, he said P.174 Penampang recorded a population of 178,499 in the 2020 Population and Housing Census.
DOSM also recorded 4,896 business establishments in P.174 Penampang in 2022, comprising 4,146 in services, 493 in construction, 167 in manufacturing, 76 in agriculture, forestry and fishing, and 14 in mining and quarrying.
“These figures demonstrate that Penampang is already a substantial population and economic centre, and these are figures from 2020 and 2022.
“Hence, we must now consider the growth that has taken place since then and, more importantly, the growth that is expected,” John said.
He said the completion of the Pan Borneo Highway would further accelerate this transformation.
“Improved connectivity will stimulate new housing, commercial development, investment and businesses. Penampang will increasingly become an important gateway between the southern parts of Sabah and Kota Kinabalu.
“We therefore need to anticipate the Penampang of the next 10, 15 and 20 years, rather than continue designing our political representation based on the demographic realities of the past,” he said.
John proposed that a future review should specifically examine the possibility of creating one additional parliamentary constituency in Penampang and two additional State constituencies, in addition to the existing Moyog and Kapayan seats.
He said the precise boundaries should be determined objectively by the Election Commission based on population distribution, voter numbers, geographical considerations, local ties, accessibility and future development.
“We are not suggesting that the boundaries should be drawn according to political convenience. We are saying that the current boundaries should be reviewed objectively and professionally.
“If the data supports additional representation, then Penampang should be given that representation,” he said.
John said the proposal should also be viewed within the broader development of the Kota Kinabalu metropolitan area.
“Penampang is increasingly integrated with Kota Kinabalu. As the metropolitan area expands southwards, the pressure on Penampang’s infrastructure, public services, housing and transportation will continue to increase.
He hoped the proposal would initiate a wider and constructive discussion on Sabah’s electoral representation.
“Sabah has grown considerably since the last major increase in parliamentary representation in 2003. Penampang has grown considerably within Sabah.
“It is therefore time to ask a simple question: Does Penampang’s present political representation still reflect the Penampang of today and, more importantly, the Penampang of tomorrow? I believe the answer deserves serious consideration.
“The time has come for Penampang to have one more parliamentary constituency and two more State constituencies so that representation can properly keep pace with the people, businesses and development of this rapidly growing district,” he added.
John said there was already a clear historical precedent for increasing Sabah’s representation when population and development warranted it.
“More than 20 years have passed since Sabah’s parliamentary representation was increased from 20 to 25 seats.
“Sabah today is a very different state from Sabah in 2003. Our population, economy, urban centres, infrastructure and development patterns have changed considerably.
“It is therefore reasonable to ask whether our existing electoral representation continues to adequately reflect the demographic and developmental realities of Sabah,” he said.
John said the proposal would not be outside the existing constitutional framework.
“The Federal Constitution already provides the legal mechanism for the review and re-delineation of electoral constituencies.
“Article 113(2) of the Federal Constitution provides for the Election Commission to conduct reviews of the boundaries of electoral constituencies, while Article 116 deals with federal constituencies and Article 117 with State constituencies.
The 13th Schedule sets out the principles and procedures governing the review and delineation process,” he said.
He said the Constitution also recognises Sabah and Sarawak as separate units for the purposes of electoral boundary reviews under Article 113(6).
“The legal and constitutional framework is already there.
What is required is the political will to initiate a proper review based on current population, voter distribution, development patterns, geographical considerations and future growth,” he said.
John stressed that the proposal was not about creating political positions for the sake of politicians.
“It is fundamentally about representation.
When one constituency becomes increasingly populated, urbanised and economically active, the responsibilities placed on its elected representatives also become greater.
“People need accessible representatives who can effectively follow up on issues involving roads, drainage, housing, traffic, education, healthcare, utilities, land, business development and other public services.
“Representation must therefore evolve together with the population and development of an area,” he said.
