The DAP Selangor State Committee met yesterday evening to consider and deliberate on the re-delineation proposals by the Election Commission. In particular, we were extremely concerned over the impact on the Selangor state government.
The detailed data analysis fully supported the thesis that the EC had conducted the re-delineation exercise based almost entirely on racial electoral manipulation in BN’s favour.
Marginal UMNO seats such as Permatang and Kuang were strengthened by shifting in more Malay voters, while shifting out non-Malay voters.
Marginal Pakatan seats were also severely disadvantaged with a similar increase in Malay voters, deemed BN supporters, while non-Malay voters deemed opposition supporters were shifted out.
The only beneficiaries of the re-delineation exercise for Pakatan is when our “safe” seats are made “super-safe” with the influx of opposition inclined voters, and the outflow of pro-BN localities. However such “benefits” of increased majorities does not accrue to any additional seats for the opposition.
Our studies have shown conclusively that based on 2013 voting patterns and the newly delineated constituencies, BN will gain outright an additional seven seats with no gains at all by the opposition. These seats are N11 Ijok (PKR), N23 Dusun Tua (PAS), N43 Sementa (PKR), N44 Selat Klang (PAS), N46 Pelabuhan Klang (PKR), N51 Sijangkang (PAS)and N53 Morib (Amanah).
At the same time, at least 9 seats became marginal or more marginal in BN’s favour. These seats are N06 Kuala Kubu Baru, N15 Taman Templer, N29 Seri Serdang, N33 Taman Medan, N38 Paya Jaras, N41 Batu Tiga N49 Seri Andalas, N17 Gombak Setia and N18 Hulu Kelang. No BN seats became marginal in the opposition’s favour.
It is undeniable that the Election Commission is abusing its powers to ensure a re-delineated Selangor which will be conducive for BN to win back power.
Under such circumstances, it becomes a legitimate question to ask if it makes sense for the Selangor state government should be dissolved prior to the completion of the EC re-delineation exercise.
The existing delineation is already disadvantageous to the opposition with the massive disparity of voters between seats. The new delineation will indisputably make things even worse for the opposition.
Hence, the Selangor state committee unanimously agreed that it would be in the best interest of the state government to call for elections before the completion of the re-delineation exercise.
It should be emphasised that calling for a state election to be held before the exercise is completed is not asking for the state assembly to be dissolved immediately. As the re-delineation exercise is expected to complete only after 6 months to a year, the state government still has plenty of time on its side to decide when will be the most appropriate time for dissolution.
Furthermore by May next year, the current government would have served more than 4 years of its 5-year term hence the question of mandate is no longer an issue, if at all.
We will submit our recommendations to the DAP and Pakatan Harapan top leadership and hope that our views will be given due consideration. We believe that the Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council will be the best platform to discuss this matter of importance and the wisdom to arrive at a decision to best protect the interest of Pakatan Harapan and the Rakyat of Selangor.