Asfia speaking to reporters after the DUN sitting yesterday. — Photo by Chimon Upon
STATE Legislative Assembly (DUN) speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar prefers to use the word ‘Governor’ when addressing Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud as Sarawakians are more familiar with the term.
According to him, he often used the word ‘Governor’ because “for Sarawak historically, the people know and are familiar with the term.”
Speaking to reporters after the opening ceremony of the DUN sitting yesterday, Asfia also pointed out that during the sitting, if he were to use the ‘Yang di-Pertua Negeri’ and also the ‘Yang di-Pertua Dewan’ which is to address the Speaker, it might lead to confusion.
“Therefore when I address him as governor, there is no confusion at all between ‘Yang di-Pertua Negeri’ and ‘Yang di-Pertua Dewan’.”
Nevertheless, he noted there was no difference in using ‘Yang di-Pertua Negeri’ or ‘Governor’ to address Taib.
“It’s just the matter of the term you use to address because Sarawak is used to the term governor. Also, governor sounds more with clout,” he quipped.