Opening of DUN sitting goes well

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KUCHING: The official opening of the First Session of the Second Term of the 18th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting went well despite the unpromising weather yesterday.

Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib arrived at the Parade Square, DUN Complex in Petra Jaya here at around 10am.

The national anthem was played shortly after their arrival, which was delayed by about half an hour due to an abrupt downpour.

Taib then inspected the Guard of Honour comprising 105 officers from the 11th Battalion General Operations Force (GOF).

Among the dignitaries present were Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datin Amar Dato Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang, DUN Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani.

The inspection was followed by the playing of both the national anthem and the state anthem before all dignitaries and members of the august House made their way to the DUN Hall for Taib’s opening speech.

Prior to the opening speech, Asfia extended congratulatory messages to Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Datuk Talib Zulpilip and Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah for their recent promotion as the third Deputy Chief Minister, Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsmen) and Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Youth and Sports respectively.

Asfia also welcomed Abdullah Saidol and Snowdan Lawan, who were recently appointed as Assistant Minister of Corporate Affairs and Assistant Minister for Youth and Sports respectively, to the state cabinet.

He then commended the state Barisan Nasional and Tanjong Datu assemblywoman Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu for the landslide by-election victory on Feb 18.

Asfia also recorded his condolences to the family of the fifth Chief Minister of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who passed away on Jan 11.

“Our deepest condolences to the family of the late Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem. Not only was Tan Sri Adenan the fifth Chief Minister of Sarawak, but also former Tanjong Datu assemblyman, former federal minister and former Batang Sadong MP.”

Asfia called upon members of the august House to rise and observe a minute of silence for Adenan, who had contributed tremendously to Sarawak’s progress.

He also extended congratulations to Abang Johari for succeeding the late Adenan as the state’s sixth Chief Minister.

Asfia then excused himself in order to lead Taib and Raghad into the hall for the opening speech, which lasted nearly an hour. The official opening ceremony concluded with a prayer recital by Imam Besar Sarawak Sahibul Fadilah.

Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh is expected to table the Supplementary Supply (2016) Bill, 2017 today (May 12).

Six elected representatives are expected to table eight motions while a total of 411 questions seeking for 336 oral replies and 70 written answers will be presented during this sitting.