SIBU: The Barisan Nasional will be the one to effectively make amendments to the land code because it commands the majority with the tabling expected in November.
Mohamad Asfia (second right) signs on a plague while (from left) owner of Singgahsana 13 Cafe, Abu Seman and Dr Annuar look on.
Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said there had been two attempts by state PKR chief and Ba Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian to amend the land code in the august House but were both rejected.
“You can’t amend an ordinance if you don’t have the majority. There were two attempts before, where the first was not properly done and the second one was rejected on grounds of breaching the standing order.
“And also because the state government in the coming November sitting as I was made to understand will table an amendment to the land code,” he told reporters after breaking fast for Sibu Parliamentary Constituency at Singgahsana 13 Cafe here on Wednesday.
The programme was organised by Special Affairs Department (Jasa) Sibu.
Mohamad Asfia was asked if Baru Bian, pushing for the amendment to the land code, was a gimmick for the opposition party to remain relevant in Sarawak political arena.
He added it was not effective to just harp on the matter because an ordinance could only be amended in the assembly with the backing of the majority.
“If you don’t, you cannot amend any ordinance. This is not just a speech. It is an amendment to an ordinance.”
Later, he gave a Minor Rural Project (MRP) fund of RM15,000 each to Peryatim Sibu and Masjid Darul Husna of Sibu Jaya.
Twenty-three orphans also joined in the breaking of fast which was also attended by Nangka assemblyman Dr Annuar Rapaee who is also Peryatim Sibu chairman and a political secretary to Chief Minister Abu Seman Jahwie who is also Jemoreng assemblyman and Jasa officer for Sibu/Mukah division Awang Julaihi Awang Ali Borhan.