INFRASTRUCTURE Development and Communication Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong yesterday appealed to members of the august house to respect and not shout at each other.
“I humbly appeal to all members of this august house to respect each other and to discharge our duty and responsibility with dignity and decorum,” he said in his winding-up speech.
Manyin who is also Tebedu assemblyman said unfortunately there were members who discharged their duty and responsibility without decorum during the debate of bills, totally disregarding the dignity of the house.
He did not mention names but cited examples of actions or behaviour which were uncalled for.
“They shouted and sometimes pointed fingers at other members. For instance, they shouted: ‘You sit down, this is my floor!’ or; ‘Who are you?’ and so on. Such behaviour is unbecoming of the title ‘honourable’ and a disrespect to the house,” he opined.
“All of us who are members of this Dewan are duly elected by the people. We are elected through the process of democracy during general and state elections. Each and every one of us is representing them in this Dewan, obliging to speak on their behalf, raising issues which are of public interest.
“This does not give us the passport and right to discharge our responsibility and duty without decorum, totally disregarding the dignity of the house and respect for fellow members,” he said.