KUCHING, Oct 11: Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice president Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah has criticized Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) lawmakers for not attending the 2022 Sarawak Budget special meeting to be held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching tomorrow (Oct 12).
He believed that all responsible lawmakers should make it a point to attend the 2022 Sarawak budget special meeting.
He outlined that the special meeting is an opportunity for state lawmakers to ask questions to the State government on 2022 Sarawak Budget and get a response for it.
“If you are being a responsible wakil rakyat (elected representative), you should come over and listen.
“It’s to do with the budget for next year.
“It’s not about discussion of projects but about what the State (government) is going to put down on its budgetary and financial matters.
“It is only fair for them, being a wakil rakyat, to be present and at least for them to be in the know.
“Jangan nanti (Don’t because of) not attending and later said (they) are not being informed,” he said during a press conference prior to the launching of D’Drift here today.
Abdul Karim was responding to a question regarding PSB not sending its elected representatives to attend the special meeting on 2022 Sarawak Budget tomorrow.
On October 8, PSB president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, in a statement, said the political party’s elected representatives will not be attending the special meeting on Oct 12.
PSB’s current lawmakers are Wong who is Bawang Assan assemblyman, Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, Dudong assemblyman Datuk Tiong Thai King, Ba’kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian, Opar assemblyman Datuk Ranum Mina and Engkilili assemblyman Dr Johnical Rayong.
Earlier on, Abdul Karim who is Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister said there will be a special State Cabinet meeting today on 2022 Sarawak Budget and the State Cabinet has been empowered to approve the budget.
Abdul Karim (who is also Youth and Sports Minister) explained that once the 2022 Sarawak Budget is given approval by the State Cabinet, it will be presented to all State lawmakers tomorrow.
He said 2022 Sarawak Budget, unlike previous State Budgets will not be tabled and debated in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN), as there will be no sitting due to the Emergency in Sarawak.
He added, 2022 Sarawak Budget will be about outlining the expenditure of the Sarawak government to continue its function, rather than detailing the allocation for each ministry. — DayakDaily
