By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, Nov 9: Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) interjected the august House today to fight for his rejected private member’s motion on the establishment of a special select committee to be debated in Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) today.
Chong claimed that the rejection was unfair as his notice of motion was submitted in accordance with the Standing Orders of the august House.
He argued that his notice of motion complied with the Standing Order of the august House as he submitted his motion within the stipulated time.
“My motion was submitted on Monday (November 2) last week. My motion was rejected by the Speaker on the ground that it was short of 10 days’ notice based on Standing Orders 23.
“Standing Orders 23 says 10 days’ notice but it does not say 10 days’ notice before the sitting,” said Chong who is also Stampin MP, arguing that the august House could not just “add words” in the Standing Orders.
Chong explained that his motion was for the DUN to appoint a special select committee to supervise and oversee the operation of oil and gas resources specifically by Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros).
He claimed that under Standing Orders 23(2)(d), 10 days’ notice of the submission of motion was not required as oil and gas (O&G) is an important resource for Sarawak, and something “out of the regular order of the meeting” and as such, 10 days’ prior notice was not required.
He also stressed that the establishment of the special select committee for O&G is to prevent a few elites from exploiting it, which had happened to Sarawak’s timber and land resources.
Hence, he urged DUN to reverse the decision to reject his motion.
DUN deputy speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala who was presiding over proceedings said the august House noted Chong’s motion and said the issue will be dealt with by Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar.
The motion by the Kota Sentosa assemblyman for the DUN to establish a special select committee to oversee O&G resources through Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) was rejected by DUN speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia who announced his decision yesterday at a press conference.
The grounds for rejection cited was late submission. — DayakDaily
