By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Nov 24: Persatuan Pemangkin Daya Masyarakat or Rise of Social Efforts (ROSE) has expressed strong support for the proposal by Machan assemblyman Allan Siden Gramong to increase the number of sitting days of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS).
This follows the Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s response indicating openness to the idea and entrusting the matter to the DUS Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, for review.
In a statement today, ROSE noted that the current DUS sits only eight days per session, totalling 16 days annually.
This limited schedule often forces assembly members to rush through their speeches and restricts the time available for question-and-answer (Q&A) sessions with ministers.
“We also note that for the just concluded DUS sitting, although 350 questions (for oral and written answers) were submitted, only 41 questions were answered orally by the relevant ministers averaging 10 answers per day over a period of four days in the eight-day DUS session.
“All questions which are for oral answers will lapse if they are not answered by the Minister concerned,” the non-governmental organisation (NGO) said.
ROSE further emphasised that more structured debates and extended Q&A sessions would ensure the State Assembly adequately addresses the needs and aspirations of Sarawakians.
It also urged the DUS Speaker to urgently look into the proposal, noting that Selangor’s state assembly currently sits for 22 days per year. — DayakDaily
