Fair Boundaries for Melaka

(for Malay version, click  here )

Any form of redelineation exercise must ensure Malaysians are treated fairly (both at DUN (State Legislative Assembly) and Federal level) and represented in an appropriate manner. In order to achieve these goals for Melaka, we must do the following:

• Respecting of the ratio of Parliamentary constituencies to DUN constituencies in a given state. Since there is no 2/3 majority in Parliament to change number of Parliamentary constituencies, the Parliamentary constituency count for Melaka remains at 6. Hence, the DUN size should be either 24 (6x4) or 30 (6x5). When the DUN size is a multiple of the Parliamentary constituencies, the first step to ensure equalization of electorate (commonly known as voters) size of the constituencies of DUN and Parliamentary size is achieved.
• A Parliament constituency or DUN constituency shall not have an electorate size more than +/-15% of State Electoral Quota (for DUN and Parliament). State Electoral Quota stipulates the average of electorate size for DUN and Parliament constituency.
• For Melaka, the urban population accounts more than 95% of the population and more than 85% of the population in each district (Daerah) has access to internet subscription and mobile phones at home . Hence, there is no difficulty in reaching to any electors in any rural constituency or country districts. Hence, all constituencies (DUN and Parliament) should be within +/-15% of the State Electoral Quota.
• Constituencies are to be allocated to each local council where we strive to have every DUN constituency to be within a local council (so long the equalization is attained). However, Parliamentary constituency should not be limited by local council boundaries as equalization is the first priority in the redelineation exercise.
• DUN constituencies are drawn to best fit the mukim boundaries, Blok Perancangan (BP), township sections, contiguity and transportation networks. We must acknowledge poorly drawn polling districts by Election Commission (EC) makes some boundaries of DUN and Parliament constituencies highly irregular.

This application was built to spark conversation on DUN size of Melaka and fair boundary proposal for the state.

To be an objector for future Melaka Redelineation, please fill up the form via this  link .

To learn more about your responsibility as an Objector, please head to this  link .

Up to 1983, our Federal Constitution via the 8th Schedule (Sub-section 4 (2)) mentioned that the number of DUN constituencies should be the same or multiple of the number of Parliamentary constituencies in a given state. In 1983, this requirement was removed from the constitution and such ratio are rarely adhered over the years.

In Melaka, the ratio principle was respected until 2003. For example, in 1994, Melaka had 5 Parliamentary Constituencies and 25 DUN Constituencies. The ratio was respected. With constituency increase both at parliamentary level and state level in 2003, the ratio was no longer respected. Melaka now has 6 Parliamentary Constituencies and 28 DUN Constituencies. This creates a situation where equalization among electorate size will not take place either at DUN level or Parliamentary level.

Below here is the illustration of why non adherence to a ratio principle has serious consequences.

Hence, a proper solution to have fair boundaries for the state of Melaka must respect the principle of ratio. Melaka either can reduce four DUN constituencies (28 to 24) or increase by 2 DUN constituencies (28 to 30). State Legislative Assembly (DUN) of Melaka should ascertain the appropriate size for DUN Melaka based on the revenues that state receive.

13th Schedule outlines the guiding principles of redelineation (found in section 2). Section 2 (c) states:

"the number of electors within each constituency in a State ought to be approximately equal except that, having regard to the greater difficulty of reaching electors in the country districts and the other disadvantages facing rural constituencies, a measure of weightage for area ought to be given to such constituencies"

Let's focus on the term "except that, having regard to the greater difficulty of reaching electors in the country districts and the other disadvantages facing rural constituencies".

Currently, Melaka has:

• 95.16% of its population residing in  urban areas 
• all districts where more than 85% of the population has internet subscription at home and access to mobile phone respectively
• In short, the concept the exception of 2(c) will not arise. A DUN constituency (and also the Parliamentary Constituency) should have an electorate size that does not deviate more than +/-15% of the State Electoral Quota.

State (DUN) Electoral Quota refers to average electorate (or voters) size for state constituency for a state. In 2020, Melaka has 497759 registered voters. State (DUN) Electoral Quota is calculated as the division of total electors (voters) by number of state constituencies (for Melaka- currently, it is 28). Average state constituency size is 17777 voters. For Parliament constituency, average constituency size is 82960 voters.

During a redelineation process, due to shapes of polling districts and consideration of local ties, it is impossible to have a constituency voters size of 17777. Hence, an acceptable limits should be used. We opt Merdeka era level limits of +/-15% from the State (DUN and Parliament) Electoral Quota. Below here are upper and lower limits for DUN and Parliamentary constituency electorate size

Upper Limit (for DUN): 20443 voters

Lower Limit (for DUN): 15110 voters

Upper Limit (for Parliament): 70516 voters

Lower Limit (for Parliament): 95404 voters

However, equalization of constituency sizes at the DUN level is critical to ensure equalization of the parent Parliamentary voter size.

In 2016 - 2018 redelineation exercise, Election Commission (EC) refuse to rectify existing malapportionment despite having the constitutional obligations to do so. Oversize (too many electors) constituencies are found primarily in Greater Malacca City while undersize constituencies are found in more rural Alor Gajah and Jasin districts

Out of 28 state constituencies in 2020, 19 of them are malapportioned (having too many voters or too little voters). These 19 constituencies that surpass the deviation of +/-15% of State Electoral Quota (DUN) is a matter of concern. Our map below will illustrate the situation quite effectively.

MAP 1: MALAPPORTIONMENT SITUATION IN MELAKA (2020)

The above map shows constituencies that are light blue and orange are respecting the principles of One Person, One Vote, One Value. Constituencies that are dark blue or red are malapportioned.

Click on the polygons (in Map 1) and explore more data for each DUN.

Melaka electorate growth from 2018 to 2020 is very slow. On average, an undersized DUN has an Electorate Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) (2018 - 2020) of 0.21% while oversized DUN on average will have CAGR of 0.37%. The biggest DUN (Kesidang) is 4.3 times bigger than the smallest DUN (Taboh Naning). DUN Kesidang had CAGR of 0.14% (2018 -2020) while Taboh Naning had CAGR of -0.1% (2018-2020). While the difference is small, existing malapportionment will be retained and mildly grows bigger.

It is important to note that during a redelineation, EC would be seeking expert advice on population spread. Such advise emanates from the Department of Statistics. Hence it is surprising that EC did not consider projected population growth of various parts of Melaka.

MAP 2: COMPOUNDED ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF ELECTORATE SIZE FOR CONSTITUENCIES

If you click on the colour coded polygons in the map, you will realize few things

• Some of the undersized DUNs (primarily rural) are depopulating.
• Oversized DUNs in Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council and Melaka City Council are experiencing slow positive growth population.

In Melaka, there are couple of ways to view what constitutes local ties: Council Boundaries, District Boundaries, Mukim Boundaries, Planning Blocks (Blok Perancangan) and Councillor Wards. This can be complemented with the principle of contiguity, transportation network connectivity and other minor administrative grouping

Melaka has three districts (Jasin, Melaka Tengah and Alor Gajah) and four councils:

1. Majlis Perbandaran Alor Gajah
2. Majlis Perbandaran Jasin
3. Majlis Perbandaran Hang Tuah Jaya
4. Majlis Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah

Majlis Perbandaran Hang Tuah Jaya straddles over the three districts of Melaka

MAP 3: DUN CONSTITUENCIES AND LOCAL AUTHORITY AREAS IN MELAKA

DUN Constituencies of Melaka in Melaka are largely drawn to follow district boundaries. Since Majlis Perbandaran Hang Tuah Jaya is over three districts of Melaka, the important consideration for drawing DUN boundaries would be the hierarchy of administration. If one states that Local Council boundaries is important, DUN Durian Tunggal, DUN Bemban, DUN Pengkalan Batu, DUN Bukit Katil and DUN Kesidang would be violating local ties. Since city planning uses local council boundaries, DUN boundaries should follow (as much as possible) local council boundaries instead of district boundaries.

MAP 4: PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES, DISTRICTS AND LOCAL AUTHORITY AREAS IN MELAKA

For Parliamentary Constituencies, we can see that Parliamentary Constituency of Alor Gajah covers area over two councils (Majlis Perbandaran Alor Gajah & Majlis Perbandaran Jasin). Alor Gajah district have sufficient electorate to be an oversized parliamentary constituency. Yet, the district has two undersized parliamentary constituencies of Alor Gajah and Jasin. Jasin Parliamentary constituency is a subset of Jasin District. Jasin District has an electorate size to have an equalized parliamentary constituencies.

The Parliamentary constituency of Hang Tuah Jaya complies with district boundaries but violates the local council ties.

Melaka's polling districts are unique as they do largely follow mukim boundaries. Local Council's Planning Blocks do follow mukim boundaries. Hence, EC could easily drawn DUN and Parliamentary Boundaries to follow Planning Block boundaries and Local Council boundaries. We have to acknowledge that full compliance with local council boundaries can result in oversized parliamentary constituency like Alor Gajah or undersized parliamentary constituency of Hang Tuah Jaya. Hence, EC has to do necessary balancing between local council boundaries with principles of equalization.

Firstly, respect the principle of the ratio of parliamentary constituencies to DUN constituencies. Currently, Melaka has 6 parliamentary constituencies and 28 DUN constituencies. For Melaka, we can recommend an increase of two DUN constituencies to 30 (6x5).

Secondly, calculate the number of constituencies required for council areas of Melaka. Formula: Total voters (2020) of Council Area divided by Average DUN voter size of Melaka (2020).

Thirdly, keep all proposed state constituencies within a district or a council area while having an electorate size that does not deviate greater than +/-15% of State (DUN) Electoral Quota.

Aggregate polling districts into new proposed DUN with the following considerations:

Mukim Boundaries

Planning Blocks

Transportation Network Connectivity

Geographical contiguity

Other administration divisions.

Finally, identify the number of polling centres available (preferably schools first, followed by halls and finally other places used by EC in GE14). If a DUN has 10 polling districts, ideally it should have 10 polling centres. However, we have to admit this requirement is difficult to be met as polling districts drawn by EC seems to ignore the availability of facilities within them.

We present two fair redelineation scenarios where status quo is retained (6 parliament constituencies and 28 DUN constituencies) and addition of two State constituencies (6 parliament constituencies and 30 DUN constituencies)

Criteria:

• 28 State Constituencies (No Alteration to the number of Parliamentary constituencies)
• Constituencies are to have voter population size to be within +/-15% of State (DUN) Electoral Quota
• Respect Council/District* Boundaries where possible (primary rule for the DUN, but parliamentary constituencies are exempted)

Three out of Four Council Boundaries fits with District Boundaries. Boundaries of Majlis Perbandaran Hang Tuah Jaya straddles over three districts of Melaka

Referring to the second step, we have found these councils:

• Majlis Perbandaran Alor Gajah (97027 voters)
• Majlis Perbandaran Hang Tuah Jaya (71734 voters)

have either too many or too little voters to form a parliamentary constituency (to be within +/-15%). Both of them have sufficient electorate size to create 4 to 5 DUNs per administrative district. Hence, in our proposal, Hang Tuah Jaya Parliamentary constituency shall includes parts of Majlis Perbandaran Alor Gajah, Majlis Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah and Majlis Perbandaran Jasin (chosen based on contiguity). We have to acknowledge that EC has drawn quite number of polling districts in Majlis Perbandaran Hang Tuah Jaya with parts of them found in another council area.

Hence, we should practice some flexibility in respecting local council or district boundaries for the formation of a DUN or Parliament constituency. Local Council and district boundaries are drawn without a consideration of electorate population size. We still strive to respect local council boundaries for Melaka as much as possible so long the equalization is attained.

MAP 7: PROPOSED 28 STATE CONSTITUENCIES (COLOUR CODED BASED ON EQUALIZATION LEVEL WITH WHITE BOUNDARIES), PROPOSED PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES (WITH BLACK BOUNDARIES) AND MUKIM BOUNDARIES (DASHED BLACK LINES)

Click on Each Colour Coded Polygon to to find the coverage area of Proposed DUN with the location of the DUN in given Mukim or Township Boundaries.

It is possible to equalize all but two DUNs to be within +/-15% while respecting council boundaries. The two DUNs (hence in red or blue) who couldn't meet the +/-15% threshold are:

• N.5 - covering Pulau Sebang/ Gadek area (-15.27%)
• N.27 - covering Ayer Molek area (16.54%)

These two DUNs exceeded the acceptable deviation due to local ties consideration. In this scenario, the ratio of Parliament constituencies: DUN constituencies is not honoured and hence, it is impossible to equalize all DUN constituencies and Parliament constituencies within +/-15% concurrently.

All 6 proposed parliamentary constituencies have an electorate size of +/-15% of State Electoral Quota (Parliament).

Using the list of schools (as primary option for polling stations) of Melaka, 25 out proposed 28 DUNs can be deemed to have sufficient facilities for polling. For example, proposed N.23 (cover Paya Rumput area) has 3 polling districts and within the proposed DUN, there are 8 schools that can be converted into polling stations. Having said, EC must work towards to ensure two facilities are ready for polling stations within a polling district. Following are the DUNs where there are insufficient schools for polling stations:

• N.08 - Covering Batu Berendam Area (need to find additional one polling facility)
• N.10 - Covering Bukit Beruang Area (need to find additional one polling facility)
• N.18 - Covering Peringgit Area (need to find additional four polling facilities)

Criteria:

• 30 State Constituencies (Addition of 2 State Constituencies but no alteration to the number of Parliamentary constituencies)
• Constituencies are to have voter population size to be within +/-15% of State (DUN) Electoral Quota
• Respect Council/District* Boundaries where possible (primary rule for the DUN, but parliamentary constituencies are exempted)

Three out of Four Council Boundaries fits with District Boundaries. Boundaries of Majlis Perbandaran Hang Tuah Jaya straddles over three districts of Melaka

Referring to the second step, we have found these councils:

have either too many or too little voters to form a parliamentary constituency (to be within +/-15%). Both of them have sufficient electorate size to create 4 to 5 DUNs per administrative district. Hence, in our proposal, Hang Tuah Jaya Parliamentary constituency shall includes parts of Majlis Perbandaran Alor Gajah, Majlis Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah and Majlis Daerah Jasin (chosen based on contiguity). We have to acknowledge that EC has drawn quite number of polling districts in Majlis Perbandaran Hang Tuah Jaya with parts of them found in another council area.

Hence, we should practice some flexibility in respecting local council or district boundaries for the formation of a DUN or Parliament. Local Council and district boundaries are drawn without a consideration of electorate population size. We still strive to respect local council boundaries for Melaka as much as possible so long the equalization is attained.

MAP 8: PROPOSED 30 STATE CONSTITUENCIES (COLOUR CODED BASED ON EQUALIZATION LEVEL WITH WHITE BOUNDARIES), PROPOSED PARLIAMENTARY CONSTITUENCIES (WITH BLACK BOUNDARIES) AND MUKIM BOUNDARIES (DASHED BLACK LINES)

Click on Each Colour Coded Polygon to to find the coverage area of Proposed DUN with the location of the DUN in given Mukim or Township Boundaries.

It is possible to equalize all but one DUNs to be within +/-15% while respecting council boundaries. The only DUN (red) who couldn't meet the +/-15% threshold are:

• N.14 - covering Duyong area (15.47%) which went beyond the maximum limit by 70 - 80 voters

This DUN exceeded the acceptable deviation due to local ties consideration.

All 6 proposed parliamentary constituencies with an exception of one have an electorate size of +/-15% of State Electoral Quota (Parliament). The exception is the first constituency P.1 (covering Alor Gajah) and have population size of 15.1% of State Electoral Quota (Parliament). This constituency's population went beyond maximum limit by 80 voters or so. If one wants to attain total equalization for parliament within +/-15%, one polling district of N.4 (Rembia area) can be parked in N.26 (under Parliament constituency P.5) constituency. This will violate local ties but equalization will be attained

Using the list of schools (as primary option for polling stations) of Melaka, 26 out 30 proposed DUNs can be deemed to have sufficient facilities for polling. For example, proposed N.23 (cover Paya Rumput area) has 2 polling districts and within the proposed DUN, there are 7 schools that can be converted into polling stations. Having said, EC must work towards to ensure two facilities are ready for polling stations within a polling district. Following are the DUNs where there are insufficient schools for polling stations:

• N.15 - Covering Bukit Piatu Area (need to find additional one polling facility)
• N.17 - Covering Peringgit Area (need to find additional four polling facility)
• N.20 - Covering Bakar Batu Area (need to find additional two polling facilities)
• N.27 - Covering Batu Berendam Area (need to find additional one polling facility)

Conclusion

It is possible to equalize all DUNs and Parliamentary constituencies simultaneously while respecting local ties. Hence, the fundamental concept of ratio of parliamentary constituencies to DUN constituencies must be respected.

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