Asfia (right) making his point during the press conference while Gerawat looks on. — Photo by Tan Song Wei
KUCHING: There will be some adjustments at the 18th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting from May 11 to 22 following Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg’s announcement of his new state cabinet line-up on Saturday.
DUN Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar said the adjustment is necessary as the new cabinet line-up involved the appointment of the state’s third deputy chief minister, two full ministers and two assistant ministers.
“So, the winding-up addresses will change this DUN sitting. Previously, at times one minister will do winding-up for three ministries or several portfolios.
“This time, it is all laid down in a structured way whereby the newly appointed ministers will give their winding-up addresses according to protocol,” he told a press conference after the state Barisan Nasional (BN) pre-council meeting which was chaired by Abang Johari at PBB headquarters here yesterday.
In the major state cabinet reshuffle, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan was appointed Deputy Chief Minister while Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh and Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong would be heading the new Ministry of International Trade and E-Commerce and new Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Research respectively.
In addition, new faces Snowdan Lawan was appointed Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports while Abdullah Saidol is now Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs.
On the eight-day DUN sitting which starts this Thursday, Asfia said it will see the tabling of the Supplementary Supply (2016) Bill 2017 by Wong, who is Second Finance Minister.
“The first reading will be on May 12 followed by the second and third readings on May 16.”
He also revealed that eight motions filed by six elected representatives will be tabled on May 12.
“The first motion is from Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How on the citizens-initiated referendum which is a direct democracy based on a Swiss model where there are referenda.
“Then, you have two motions from Pelawan assemblyman David Wong Kee Woan where in his first motion, he is seeking for the removal of restrictive standing orders to create impartiality by the Speaker; for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chairman to be from the opposition; for questions by elected representatives whether oral or written be given with answers; for the scraping of the constituency development fund for elected representatives; for live TV telecast of DUN sitting; and for the sitting to be increased to three,” he said.
“In his second motion, he is asking that appointed community leaders must not belong to any political party and if they do, they must resign; community leaders must be able to speak in English; they must be stationed in the district or Resident’s office in rotation; and appointment must be through the recommendation of non-governmental organisations (NGO) such as the United Chinese Association,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas waves to the camera as he along with Abang Johari (left) and Rural Electricity and Water Supply Minister Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom (right) leave the meeting room at PBB headquarters.
Apart from that, Asfia pointed out that Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon had also filed two motions; one of which sought for viable public transportation in Miri and the other seeking for the state government to consider taking steps to implement appropriate fire safety regulations and to implement greater inspection.
“There is also a motion from Tanjong Batu assemblyman Chiew Chiu Sing who is asking for the allocation of five acres to those interested in agriculture and that the allocated land must have access to government roads and an agency be set up to take charge of the success of the project.
“Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen also filed for a motion and the essence of this is on the motion passed on May 6, 2014 on the increase of oil and gas royalty from five per cent to 20 per cent. The motion is asking for the result of that motion that had been unanimously passed by the House,” he remarked.
He added that Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei, who had initially filed two motions but withdrew one, will be seeking the set-up of Sarawak Public Transport Consultative Committee for the proposed LRT in the state.
“The withdrawn motion was on the English language where the sole language to be used in the august House is English so it’s withdrawn.”
Asfia also noted that a total of 411 questions seeking 336 oral replies and 70 written replies will be presented during the sitting.
“Both oral and written replies were received from 60 members of the august house with the Chief Minister’s Office receiving the highest number of questions at 103 (83 oral and 20 written),” he said.
He added that one question was rejected because it violated standing orders.
Also present during the press conference were Deputy DUN Speaker Dato Gerawat Gala and DUN secretary Semawi Mohamad.