By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, Feb 11: Newly minted Deputy Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Datuk Idris Buang vows to be impartial and fair to representatives of all political parties, whether they be from the ruling coalition or otherwise.
Despite being a member of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) and the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), he said he will be as professional as the position requires of him when it is his turn to preside over any sitting of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
“To be impartial is one of the necessary attributes of a speaker. It is a must. I will be impartial and I will discharge my duty according to the law. Fair play is part and parcel of a healthy democracy.
“I admire our Honourable Speaker for his exemplary disposition and sense of fairness over any question before him when presiding all the previous sessions which I attended whilst as an ADUN (lawmaker).
“I will strive to my very utmost best in making judgement and uphold legislative justice if called upon to do so because at the end of the day we will be judged by our actions by all,” Idris told DayakDaily when contacted.
Idris was sworn in as Deputy Speaker this afternoon, replacing Mulu assemblyman Datuk Gerawat Gala while Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar continues as Speaker.
On the statement made by Parti Bumi Kenyalang president Voon Lee Shan that Asfia is already a lawyer by training, that there was no necessity to appoint another from the legal fraternity to be deputy speaker, Idris who is Muara Tuang responded that Voon was entitled to his opinion.
“I am just an ordinary person who happens to have a legal background. I think being a lawyer is not a determining criterion for me to be appointed.
“My appointment does not mean that lawyers are a class above, and it does not mean that lawyers can do better.
“They are many others in the Sarawak DUN who are more capable than the lawyers and they can hold any position. And in fact, many non-lawyers in the DUN are holding very important positions in the Cabinet and in DUN,” said Idris.
He added that he was deeply humbled by the appointment and expressed his sincere gratitude to Governor Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, for their trust. — DayakDaily
