By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, May 28: Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has expressed full support for educational visits abroad by Sarawak assemblymen to study mature democratic parliamentary systems, particularly in the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US).
According to a TVS news report, Abang Johari said the initiative, jointly proposed with the Speaker of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS), aims to broaden the perspectives of assembly members by exposing them to international models of governance, including the Westminster system and the presidential system.
“I congratulate the Speaker for consulting with me on providing our assemblymen the opportunity to study and learn from well-established democratic systems around the world,” he said during the GPS Backbenchers Night ‘One For All, All for One (Sarawak First)’ event at the DUS complex here last night (May 27).
Abang Johari highlighted that such visits will help lawmakers gain deeper insights into key differences between governance models, such as the role of parliamentarians in the UK who may also serve in the Cabinet, versus the U.S. system where congressional members are separate from executive powers held by the President.
He added that while systems differ, the essence of democracy remains the same as leaders are elected by the people.
The Premier also entrusted the DUS Speaker with full discretion in executing the programme as a beneficial educational initiative to enhance the legislative knowledge and capabilities of Sarawak’s elected representatives.
“This will be an educational visit aimed at strengthening their understanding and skills in the areas of democracy and governance,” he said.
TVS further reported that the initiative is regarded as a significant step toward empowering the Sarawak Legislative Assembly to carry out its legislative role more effectively and authoritatively. — DayakDaily
