ALOR STAR: Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's allegation that electoral borders were redelineated by the Election Commission (EC) as a way of handing Barisan Nasional (BN) an advantage in upcoming polls is ‘surprising.’
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah pointed out that the former prime minister never once argued against the process throughout several general elections held during his 22-year tenure.
Bashah said it is curious that the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman only discovered that the EC is allegedly biased towards BN only after he joined the opposition.
"To me, it is something shocking, because when he was serving as prime minister for 22 years, never once did he dispute redelineation exercises by the EC.
"Why has he made such an allegation only after joining the opposition, and not when he was in power?" he said at a press conference after handing over the keys to a new house to a family left homeless following a storm in Lubuk Peringgi here today.
Bashah added that the redelineation exercises were carried out by the EC based on the number of population growth for each constituencies.
"This is done to make sure a fair distribution of population based on the population growth.
"The EC has the absolute prerogative on this matter and BN has nothing to do with it," he said.
Bashah said there is no major changes in Kedah following the passing of the redelineation report in the Dewan Rakyat two days ago, except for the change of name for Alor Star parliamentary seat to Alor Setar and his state seat, Bakar Bata to Suka Menanti.
"I am made to understand that there are some movement of voters based on the new redelineation exercises in some constituencies," he said.
Bashah denied claims that the exercise would give BN an advantage over the opposition as the party still has to work hard to win over the voters.
He was responding to Dr Mahathir’s claim made during a rally in Guar Chempedak, Yan, yesterday that the EC's redelineation of electoral borders was meant to benefit BN in the GE14.
