KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Yahya Hussin has rapped PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamarudin for claiming that the additional 13 seats introduced in Sabah would allow many phantom voters to cast their votes at the next general election.

Yahya, who is also Sabah Umno secretary, said the allegation was baseless and the Opposition party had no facts or evidence to back up their allegations of phantom voters.

“This is just a political accusation made by the Opposition.

“If it is true, then show evidence and take it to the court,” he told reporters when met after the state-level Malaysia Day celebration here today.

Yahya said this in response to Zuraida’s remarks yesterday that by introducing new seats, Barisan Nasional was indirectly selling Malaysia to foreigners who would be “bringing their Malaysian identification cards” on polling day.

Yesterday, the Election Commission put on display the notice containing its recommendations for new seats in Sabah following a redelineation exercise.

The new seats are N.02 Bengkoka, N.06 Mangaris, N.08 Pintasan, N.13 Pantai Dalit, N.17 Darau, N.24 Tanjung Dumpil, N.27 Dambai, N.44 Tulid, N.47 Telupid, N.51 Sungai Manila, N.58 Lamag, N.61 Segama and N.70 Kukusan.

The 13 new seats would bring the total number of state seats in Sabah to 73.

The notice will be on display at most post offices and district offices until Oct 14.