“The Sarawak election budget needs to be renegotiated as we are expecting a 10% to 15% cut due to the budget recalibration,” he said at a press conference today.

He said the commission was discussing the matter with the Treasury and Finance Ministry.

The Finance Ministry has told the EC to propose a sum that would “save the country’s money”, according to the newly minted chairman.

Last week, the EC estimated that RM181 million – double the amount spent in the last state election in 2011 – would have to be set aside for the Sarawak election, partly due to the rising cost of goods.

At today’s press conference, Hashim also addressed the issue of electoral reforms, saying these could be done only in accordance with the Elections Act and the Federal Constitution.

Responding to Bersih’s call for reforms, he said, “We can’t make changes just because we want to. They have to be based on the Constitution and the Elections Act.”

However, he said he would be engaging in discussions with NGOs on election issues. “We will have official visits with all NGOs, including Bersih 2.0,” he said, but added that he was “not excited” about making “big changes”.

“You can criticise all you want,” he said. “We are guided by the Federal Constitution.”

Sarawak voters affected by the recent re-delineation of electoral boundaries can check on their voting status from today onwards. They can do so by calling the EC hotline, 03-88927000, or going to the EC’s official website, www.spr.gov.my, or entering SPR SEMAK NRIC Number in a text message to 15888.