Coming DUN sitting expected to be hectic

KUCHING: The State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting beginning tomorrow is expected to be a hectic one for all members of the august House, with the tabling of three government Bills and the state Budget 2018 or Supply (2018) Bill, 2017.

Based on the draft of the order of the day viewed by The Borneo Post yesterday, the state Budget 2018 or Supply (2018) Bill, 2017 is expected to be tabled for the first and second reading by Chief Minister and Finance and Economic Planning Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg tomorrow.

This will be followed by the tabling for the first reading of Sarawak Multimedia Authority Bill, 2017 by International Trade and e-Commerce Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh; the Sarawak Research and Development Council Bill, 2017 by Education, Science and Technological Research Minister Dato Sri Michael Manyin Jawong and the Regional Corridor Development Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2017 by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.

The Sarawak Multimedia Authority Bill, 2017 will be read for the second and third time on the same day. As for Sarawak Research and Development Council Bill, 2017 and Regional Corridor Development Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2017, they are scheduled to be debated and passed on Thursday.

Based on the explanatory statement for the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Bill, 2017, the Bill seeks to establish the Sarawak Multimedia Authority as an entity to be the authority in the state for communication and multimedia activities and for matters connected therewith.

There are altogether 39 clauses in the Bill, including clauses providing for offences and penalties that may be imposed for the commission of such offences, offences committed by corporations and for the conduct of prosecution.

The Sarawak Research and Development Council Bill, 2017 seeks to establish the Sarawak Research and Development Council for the initiation, promotion, coordination and advancement of research and development in Sarawak.

The Bill contains 25 clauses, including clauses providing that all members, officers, employees are deemed as public servants for the purposes of Penal Code (Act 574) and requiring them not to disclose or disseminate any information obtained in the course of the performance of their functions and duties unless written consent has been obtained from the council or such information has been published pursuance to the Ordinance and protection under the Public Authorities Protection Act 1948 (Act 198) to the council or any of its members, officers and employees in respect of any act, neglect or default done or committed in official capacity.

As for the Regional Corridor Development Authorities (Amendment) Bill, 2017, the Bill among others seeks to amend a section by deleting the words ‘his deputies’ in the definition of ‘chairman’ and also to empower the minister to appoint any person to temporarily discharge the duties of a chairman.

There is also a clause in the Bill that seeks to amend a section on the composition of a Regional Corridors Development Authority.

Apart from the Bills, the state government will table a ministerial motion relating to devolution of power during this November sitting. The ministerial motion and nine other private member’s motions are scheduled to be tabled on Thursday.