KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 – New electoral redelineation exercises must come with automatic constituency funding for all lawmakers regardless of political alignment, said former Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, who cited Selangor as a fairer, more democratic model
When asked about the proposal to review the redelineation, Ariff said unequal access to constituency allocations has undermined effective representation, especially in opposition-held areas.
“Constituency funds should be given automatically to everyone (lawmakers),” he told Media Selangor at the launch of a book titled Putting Everything in Its Proper Place by Kamarudin Abu Bakar at Zezz Residence in Country Heights Damansara here on Thursday.
Ariff said denying constituency funds for opposition MPs is inconsistent with democratic principles.
“It doesn’t make sense when you profess to adopt a system of democracy, (if) you deny constituency funding to the opposition. It cannot work this way forever and ever,” he said.
On October 28 last year, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Kulasegaran Murugeson said the Election Commission (EC) may consider reviewing the delineation of boundaries in Peninsular Malaysia after the end of the current eight-year period in March.
Kulasegaran said demarcation principles include ensuring a balance between the number of voters, the efficiency of the election administration, and voter convenience, adding that the EC considers various other factors such as voter density and growth, area geography and topography, space for development, infrastructure facilities, and access to elected representatives’ services.
When constituency boundaries change through redelineation, lawmakers need adequate and equal funding to manage new voter numbers and local needs, making automatic allocations an important part of a fair redelineation process.
Meanwhile, Ariff said he has consistently raised the issue of equal and automatic funding, highlighting that the principle is reflected in policy documents but often ignored in practice.
“Even in Buku Harapan, it’s supposed to be that way. But people read, people draft, and they forget, which is a pity,” he said.
He cited Selangor as a better example of equitable governance, saying the state provides allocations to opposition assemblymen.
“I think Selangor is much better. It provides exclusive funding for the opposition,” he said, adding that such funds could be properly managed with adequate checks and balances.
He said past redelineation exercises were poorly handled, with inadequate public engagements and rushed procedures.
“Make sure that the system of delineation, the procedures involved, and the hearings are done properly. So far it’s like, you know, a mess,” he said.
Ariff said proper planning is especially important in redelineation, as changes to electoral boundaries directly impact on voter representation and community interests.
To address this, he called for improvements, saying that the upcoming exercise presents an opportunity to correct past shortcomings.
“We have to do better. Now is the time. You cannot fear consequence,” Ariff urged.
