By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Nov 12: The Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) sitting saw intense exchanges during the debate on the Natural Resources and Environment Bill, 2024, after Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong highlighted the need for an ombudsman to prevent environmental mismanagement.
Yong’s remarks on the ombudsman’s role quickly drew objections from Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap, who invoked Standing Order 32(1), arguing that her points were irrelevant to the Bill under discussion.
“Standing Order 32(1) requires members to confine their comments to the topic under debate and avoid introducing unrelated matters,” he said.
Yap appealed to Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar to make a ruling over the matter, stating, “It’s unfair for other members of this august House to listen to rhetoric unrelated to the Bill.”
The Speaker upheld Yap’s objection, urging Yong to keep her comments strictly within the scope of the Bill.
Yong, however, maintained that her points were related to broader environmental policies, pointing out that Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who tabled the new Bill, appeared engaged in her speech.
“So why allow Kota Sentosa to interrupt? You can ask the Deputy Premier, he is nodding his head. He understands what I’m saying,” she responded.
Despite the Speaker’s request for her to shift focus, Yong insisted on concluding her argument and criticised Yap for trying to make a hero out of himself.
While she acknowledged that the debate was not centered on the ombudsman, Yong underscored that Sarawak’s environmental challenges—such as deforestation, degradation, and large-scale development—require robust accountability mechanisms.
Yong warned that without these mechanisms, environmental regulations risk being weakened, leaving local communities vulnerable and powerless when their ecosystems and livelihoods come under threat.
“A functional Ombudsman system could serve as powerful tool to hold government agencies accountable. This would allow Sarawakians to demand explanations, transparency and corrective actions in cases of environmental mismanagement.
“Are you saying the ombudsman law is not relevant to the Natural Resources Department?” she questioned.
Speaker explained that the Public Account Committee is still doing its job while ombudsman is additional.
The exchange escalated further when Yong attempted to finish her speech, and Yap raised Standing Order 32(6), claiming her comments about the ombudsman implied that the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) might be incapable of fulfilling its duties.
He argued that such implications were improper and out of order, pointing out that no member shall input improper motives to any other member or make any statement or allegation where the member is unable to substantiate.
In response, Yong clarified, “These are simply my observations and suggestions. If members disagree, they can disregard them, but I have a right to voice my perspective.”
With the new Bill to enable Sarawak to assume full authority over natural resources and environment matters within the State through its own legislation, Yong urged the Sarawak government to go beyond emulating Swedish Ombudsman model by expanding into robust transparency laws, such as the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act and the Freedom of the Press Act.
“Sarawak needs similar legislation to ensure real accountability, not merely symbolic gestures for international investors. We cannot allow ourselves to be captivated by ‘pukau’- hypnotised by superficial actions that look good at paper but lack substance. Transparency must be more than a façade. It must be a practice embedded into the core of governance.
“Furthermore, the Sarawak government must embrace public participation in shaping legislation,” she said.
If Sarawak is committed to genuine climate action, Yong added that transparency, accountability and public participation are at the heart of Sarawak’s major environmental policies and decisions. — DayakDaily
