TAWAU: Youth Development, Sports Advancement and Creative Economy Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan said there is an urgent need to add two new parliamentary constituencies in Tawau following a significant increase in the number of voters.
He said the Tawau Parliament currently has an estimated 90,000 voters, while the Kalabakan Parliament exceeds 80,000 voters.
He added that an excessively large number of voters in a single parliamentary area makes it difficult for elected representatives to focus fully on the needs of the people.
“Based on existing practice, electoral boundary reviews are typically conducted every 10 years to ensure balance and fairness in representation,” he said.
In this regard, he proposed creating at least one or two new parliamentary seats in Zone 12, which covers the Tawau and Kalabakan areas.
Nizam said this would balance the number of voters to around 40,000 to 50,000 per Parliament, enabling more effective service delivery.
He added that the move would not only provide space for new leadership to emerge but also strengthen the Government’s ability to plan and implement development at the grassroots level.
The proposal aligns with population growth and the increase in voters, making a restructuring of electoral boundaries necessary for the public interest.
Nizam, who is also Apas Assemblyman, made the remarks during his Hari Raya Aidilfitri Open House at Tawau Community Hall on Monday. The event was attended by over 6,000 people from various religious and political backgrounds in a harmonious atmosphere.
During the event, he also presented contributions to 80 individuals, including single mothers, orphans, persons with disabilities (PWD), and the underprivileged, as a token of care and remembrance.
Meanwhile, Nizam, who is also Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Information Chief, said the party is ready for the 16th General Election (GE16).
“The party machinery remains active and has continued its work since the previous State Election and will continue to work to ensure victory for candidates in the upcoming GE,” he said.
He added that potential candidates in the Tawau area have been identified, with three names submitted to the top leadership for initial selection.
