By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Feb 15: The absence of the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri’s (TYT) royal address for the First Session of the First Term of the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) followed procedures, says Sarawak DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.
He said the the State government had earlier informed and communicated with the DUN secretary on the business of each sitting for three days pursuant to Standing Order 11(1).
“Thus, the notification by the State government effectively suspends Standing Order 1 which refers to the TYT’s royal address,” he said.
He said this in response to Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen’s question over the abnormality pertaining to the absence of TYT’s address for the DUN sitting in the august House.
Mohamad Asfia cited Standing Order 11(1) which reads that unless the House otherwise directs, the business of each sitting shall be transacted in the manner as stated in Standing Order 11(1), of which the Order has been laid on the table as the order of the day of each sitting.
He pointed out that by an order dated Feb 7, the TYT had summoned the House to meet on Feb 14 at 9am.
“This order has been read out by the secretary on Feb 14 (yesterday).
“This inevitably compels the State government to come up with what is the utmost necessary and indispensable and curtail the rigours of a full-fledged meeting with all its paraphernalia,” he elaborated.
Earlier, Chong when debating the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2022, said that after a general State election, the first session of a DUN sitting is normally officiated by and would feature a royal address from the TYT.
The royal address, he said, signified a policy address which outlines the direction of the government of the day and would allow the members in the debate of the TYT’s speech to raise all the plights of the people so that the government can address or resolve the problems.
However, the present august House has commenced without an opening ceremony by the TYT and is cut short to only three days.
“Is the TYT indisposed that he cannot come to address the House?
“Has the victory of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (in the recent State Election) gone to the head of the Chief Minister that his first agenda of his office term was to change his title from ‘Chief Minister’ to ‘Premier’ which purportedly gives him more prominence?” he told the press after he was interrupted by Mohamad Asfia during the debate in the august House.
Additionally, Mohamad Asfia also cited Standing Order 80(1), which reads as “except with the consent of the Speaker the Dewan shall not proceed upon any Bill, amendment, motion, or petition, which in the opinion of the Speaker would suspend this Standing Order or any of them”.
“Therefore, Standing Order 80(1) suspends the Standing Order 1, so there is no debate, no amendment.
“You can proceed with the debate on the Constitution Amendment Bill. That is my ruling. There is no debate and amendment,” he told Chong. — DayakDaily
