By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Oct 20: Respecting parliamentary rules is not an act of intimidation, and disciplinary action under the Standing Orders should not automatically be construed as political bullying, said Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap.
He said the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUNS) must remain a platform for robust debate, accountability and solutions, rather than political theatrics.
Yap was speaking at a press conference in the media room of the DUNS Complex today, following the removal of Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong from the chamber by Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar for misconduct at the beginning of today’s sitting.
Referring to yesterday’s proceedings on Oct 19, Yap said he had raised a point of order during Transport Minister Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin’s winding-up speech to caution Yong against turning the debate into political theatrics.
He said he was concerned that Yong’s refusal to withdraw the words “political coward” could escalate the situation and lead to further action by the Speaker.
Yap also said he had warned that the incident could subsequently be portrayed as the opposition being bullied in the assembly.
Citing page 63 of the Hansard, the official record of proceedings, he said his intervention was intended to keep the debate focused on substantive issues and remind members to observe the Standing Orders.
“I don’t think the Minister should move the motion to remove the member for Pending because this is political theatre on her part,” he quoted himself as saying in the record.
Yap stressed that statements made in the assembly should be supported by facts and that members must take responsibility for their words.
“Whatever we do, we must base it on facts, it must be substantiated, and this is what I’ve always stood for,” he said.
He added that political differences were part of democracy, but personal insults and confrontations would not help address issues affecting Sarawakians.
“I believe in democracy. I believe in the rule of law,” he said.
Yap said today’s proceedings, including the motion raised by Lee and the Speaker’s decision, should be understood in the context of the actual proceedings and rulings of the House.
He urged the public to consider both sides of the account rather than automatically interpreting disciplinary action as political intimidation.
“Every time the Speaker does certain action, ‘Ah, it’s bullying, it’s bullying, it’s bullying,’ you know? And I don’t think that’s right, because the Speaker, he is guided by rules. He needs to run the DUNS in a proper, orderly, professional manner,” he said.
Yap described the Speaker’s conduct during today’s proceedings as professional and calm, adding that the Standing Orders applied equally to opposition members and those from the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government bloc.
He said compliance with parliamentary rules was a shared responsibility necessary to preserve the dignity and integrity of the institution.
Yap said assemblymen were elected to raise issues affecting the people and work towards solutions, and that debates in the chamber should remain focused on those responsibilities.
“The Sarawak DUN must remain a place for robust debate, accountability and solutions. We come to DUNS because we want solutions to issues that have been raised,” he said. — DayakDaily
