By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, Nov 18: Sarawak’s Deputy Speaker Datuk Idris Buang has clarified that it is not invalid or improper to refer to reliable websites in providing verified data in the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS).
“If you refer to any social media like Instagram, WhatsApp, etc, for which the information is controversial, for example, over a character or an activity of somebody; that you need to verify.
“In this case, I see that the Honourable Minister has done his research based on information from a certain established website,” he said during a heated debate between Sarawak Minister of Transport (MOTS) Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin and Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen in the DUS sitting here today.
He was responding to Chong who raised a point of order, citing the recently passed Standing Order amendment, whereby no members of the august House can refer to websites or news reports.
In the tense exchange, Lee was quick to point out that he was referencing data from a specific website, just as Chong had done.
“The Honourable Member of Padungan also quoted the website.
“I am also responding to you (Chong) from the other website to counter what you said. So what is wrong with that?” Lee voiced out.
The heated debate stemmed when Lee cited several websites to substantiate his point on the successful operation of hydrogen buses in other parts of the world, in opposing Chong’s debate speech that cited several failed trials of hydrogen buses.
Lee further criticised Chong’s use of outdated data, particularly from the Covid-19 pandemic, to assess the current state of hydrogen transit initiatives.
“Even though a quote from 2021 was highlighted, it is crucial to note that this data was collected during the Covid-19 pandemic, a period that saw drastically reduced ridership.
“The low revenue during that time was not necessarily a reflection of technological inefficiencies but rather an inevitable result of the global health crisis. To claim technological failure without acknowledging this context is misleading,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily
