By Marlynda Meraw
KUCHING, May 26: The Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Speaker, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, rules out a question regarding the Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, and the Cabinet Ministers’ overseas travel expenditure, stating that the amount spent becomes “pittance” and “trivial” compared to the billions in investments Sarawak has secured.
Delivering his ruling, the Speaker invoked Standing Orders 20(3), 20(4), and 20(6) to disallow the question raised by Pending assemblywoman, Violet Yong, citing public interest and the non-admissibility of queries that had already been declined or were deemed prejudicial to the proceedings.
He said that these engagements have directly contributed to Sarawak’s growing global presence and economic strength.
“The few millions we spent on travelling becomes pittance and trivial compared with the billions—multibillions that Sarawak (has) achieved,” said the Speaker during the DUS sitting today.
During his opening remarks, the Speaker revealed that Sarawak’s revenue budget has steadily increased from RM10.6 billion in 2020 to RM14.18 billion in 2024.
He further noted that foreign direct investments (FDI) into Sarawak had surged, with the State recording RM3.18 billion in FDI in 2019, followed by RM15.3 billion in 2020, RM10.32 billion in 2021, RM13.52 billion in 2022, RM7.8 billion in 2023, and RM14.12 billion in 2024.
“Over the past five years, Sarawak (has been) flooded with (an) FDI totalling RM54.35 billion,” said the Speaker, a figure described as “unprecedented” in both State and national history.
He stressed that spending a few million Ringgits to facilitate strategic overseas missions, including visits to assess aircraft in France or study infrastructure models in Qatar, was a necessary investment in the State’s industrialisation and development agenda.
“If you want a state-of-the-art airport and seaport like the one in Doha, you and your team have to travel to Qatar. You cannot use email and online for this airport and seaport, or the purchase of (the) latest aircraft from France,” he added.
He warned that questioning such policies could undermine the economic miracle Sarawak is pursuing and disrupt its long-term growth ambitions.
On May 19, 2025, Yong’s question was shot down on the first day of the DUS sitting when she sought a breakdown of overseas travel expenses over the past five years.
Later on May 23, 2025, during a press conference at the DUS media room, Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen criticised the rejection of the question raised by Yong, which to him was made on the grounds that it contravenes public policy—an explanation he deemed both perplexing and unexplainable. –DayakDaily
