By Syed Jaymal Zahiid - Free Malaysia Today
KUALA LUMPUR: The Barisan Nasional-led federal government appears to be preparing for the re-delineation of electoral boundaries which will potentially see an increase in the number of constituencies from the current 222.
Anticipating the need to cater for a larger number of elected representatives, Minister in the Prime Minister Department Nazri Abdul Aziz today said the government has agreed to move Parliament from its present location in Kuala Lumpur to the country's administrative capital Putrajaya.
Among the reasons given was the need to prepare for the increased number of parliamentary seats.
"The proposal was recently tabled before the Cabinet for consideration and it has agreed to move it to Putrajaya," said Nazri in a written reply to a DAP MP in Parliament.
"The construction of a new Parliament building at a cost of RM800 million is to meet the future requirements of Parliament, taking into consideration aspects of comfort, needs, facilities and the increased number of seats," he added.
The minister added that the current Parliament building, built in September 1962, will be maintained as a heritage site.
Details of the proposals are still being studied by the Works Ministry.
He said this in his written answer to Sim Tong Him (DAP- Kota Melaka) who had asked about the renovation and upgrade works done on the present parliament building.
Another flip-flop in the making?
However talking to reporters at the parliament lobby later, Nazri said the decision to move the Parliament to Putrajaya was not finalised, in contrary to his written answer on the matter to Sim.“It’s not decided yet. We will bring it to the Cabinet to be discussed,” he said, adding that the Cabinet will also consider the possibility of demolishing the present building.
“We will look into every aspect. The Parliament is actually a heritage building so we would have to see if we could demolish it.
“We would need the RM150 million for upgrading [works], like fixing the roof and the electricity supply.
“While for the construction of a new Parliament [building], we might need RM800 million. So we will consider on the best proposal,” Nazri said.
At least one government backbencher is against the idea to relocate the Parliament to Putrajaya.
Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) expressed his opinion through his twitter.
“Unnecessary. Money can be better spent on other programs for the rakyat,” tweeted the Umno Youth chief.
He also said that the present Parliament had just undergone extensive refurbishment some years ago.
“Ya still some leaks in the roof but doesn’t require relocation,” he said.
BN's two-third majority possible
The federal government would need a two-thirds majority to go ahead with the re-demarcation of constituency boundaries as stipulated under the Federal Constitution.
There are six independent MPs including Pasir Mas' Ibrahim Ali. Five of them are former PKR lawmakers.
Provided that all are pro-BN, BN would need just six more seats to form a two-thirds majority.
This is more than likely to happen given the recent series of events where independent Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Hashim and Kulim Bandar Baru MP Zulkifli Noordin are seen warming up to Prime Minister and BN president Najib Tun Razak.
The two had recently gone as part of Najib's entourage to the US.
Given the series of defections in just less than half a year, political pundits believe BN may just achieve its goal.
The Elections Commission (EC) had also confirmed that it was looking into the re-delineation as the current term for the boundaries will expire in 2011.
The re-drawing of the boundaries may deal a blow to Pakatan Rakyat's electoral chances as the EC, whose independence is questioned, may carve the boundaries to BN's advantage.
EC has denied the allegation.
No comments:
Post a Comment