By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 13: Batu Kitang assemblyman Dato Lo Khere Chiang (GPS–SUPP) expressed regret over Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong’s (PH-DAP) description of Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hianas “terrible and embarrassing” for using the term Dewan Undangan Sarawak (DUS) or Sarawak Legislative Assembly instead of Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak (DUNS) or Sarawak State Legislative Assembly.
To Lo, Yong made the statement in a manner that “appeared more personal than constructive”.
“If the Honourable Member for Pending truly believed that Yang Berhormat Member for N14 Batu Kawa (Dr Sim) was mistaken or ‘embarrassing’ for using the term ‘Dewan Undangan Sarawak’, then basic fairness and professional courtesy would have been to raise the matter directly with him and allow him the opportunity to explain the rationale behind the terminology.
“Tuan Yang Terutama (TYT) reminded this August House that ‘differences of view should be discussed maturely, wisely, and in good spirit, while prioritising Sarawak’s interests’. We may differ on terminology, but disagreements should be approached with intellectual honesty and mutual respect, especially in this August House.
“If we are confident in our arguments, then we should also be confident enough to engage the person concerned directly, rather than making dismissive remarks,” said Lo of Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP).
He pointed out that Sarawak formed Malaysia as an equal partner under the Malaysia Agreement 1963. As such, there is nothing wrong with Sarawak strengthening terminology and institutional language that reflects its distinct constitutional position and historical identity.
“In fact, many Sarawakians increasingly prefer terminology that reflects Sarawak’s nation-building role within the Federation rather than terminology inherited from a centralized Malayan framework. That discussion should be welcomed maturely — not mocked,” said Lo when debating the Motion of Thanks on TYT Address at Sarawak Legislative Assembly today.
Lo said this in response to Yong who had earlier pointed out during her debate on the same motion that Dr Sim has quietly replaced Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak (DUNS) with Dewan Undangan Sarawak (DUS).
She cited Dr Sim’s TikTok video dated May 2, 2026, where she accused Dr Sim of claiming that since 2024, Tan Sri Speaker had subtly changed DUNS to DUS, allegedly following the 2022 Constitutional Amendment of Sarawak Constitution.
“When we Members of this August House received the Notice of Sitting dated 7 April, the official letterhead clearly stated Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak, not DUS as claimed by (Member of) Batu Kawa. Even yesterday, the Sarawak Padi and Rice Board Bill tabled and passed in this House expressly referred to Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak under Clause 26. So where exactly is this so-called subtle change?”
“(Member of) Batu Kawa tried to act smart and cited the 2022 amendment of the Sarawak Constitution but there was no amendment whatsoever to Clause 13 under Part II relating to the Legislature,” said Yong.
She pointed out that the Constitution clearly states: “The Legislature of the State shall consist of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri and one House to be known as the Dewan Undangan Negeri.”
“The Constitution says Dewan Undangan Negeri, not Dewan Undangan Sarawak, not DUS. So, what Batu Kawa said about DUS is all fabricated and cannot be trusted.
“And why drag Tan Sri Speaker into this matter? Are we to believe the Speaker of this House can quietly amend the Sarawak Constitution through a ‘subtle change’ without debate or approval of this House?” Yong questioned.
She held that this was not a trivial matter, emphasizing that constitutional terminology cannot be casually invented to fit political narratives. She further argued that when official documents still referred to DUNS, when Bills passed in the House still used the term DUNS, and when even the Constitution stated Dewan Undangan Negeri, the issue could not be attributed to public misunderstanding, but rather to misinformation originating from the Member for Batu Kawa himself.
“DUNS remains DUNS, not some political illusion called DUS. Therefore, I respectfully ask Mr. Speaker to direct (Member of) Batu Kawa to withdraw, correct and apologise for his irresponsible act so that the record is set straight and Sarawakians are no longer misled.
“For such a constitutionally inaccurate statement to come from a Deputy Premier is deeply embarrassing. I know he did it purposely. The sanctity and dignity of this August House must be upheld through mature, respectful and responsible behaviour of all elected representatives and the Speaker of the House,” said Yong. —DayakDaily
