Pujut rep wants correction be made in Hansard
KUCHING: Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon urges the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar or the secretary to make correction in the Hansard on what had actually happened in the DUN sitting.
Dr Ting raised the issue during the morning sitting yesterday after discovering that the actual recording of Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang during question session, where he was not following procedure and had to be corrected by the Speaker numerous times, were missing in the Nov 24 Hansard.
“I want to bring this matter to the attention of the Speaker again after having been told earlier in the Dewan that he has the authority not to change it (the Hansard) despite the discrepancies. I think it is not fair as history will not be recorded accurately,” he pointed out during a press conference here yesterday.
Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Mary Chang emphasised that their main concern was on the evidential value of the Hansard and that they were not picking on Lo as a newcomer.
“The Hansard is supposed to record all speeches made in the Dewan; thus making the Hansard valuable evidence of what had happened and transpired.
“If it is allowed to be omitted, changed, edited or corrected, then it might affect the evidential value of the Hansard,” she said.
Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong said during the question session on Nov 24 sitting, Lo was unsure of the proper procedure.
“He was supposed to just stand up and read out his question number ( No 166). Instead, he read the entire questions out which the Speaker quickly advised and corrected him. He made another mistake with the supplementary questions as well.
“However, we are not laughing at him ( Lo) for the errors he made or said because he’s new. But, whatever happened should be recorded unless told to be withdrawn,” she said.
Yong added that this issue was raised in respect to Standing Order 7(4) on correctness of the Hansard that provides: ‘ If any member disputes the correctness of the record of any speech or seek to make any material change in the record, the Speaker shall rule their own and shall direct the publication of the speech in accordance to his ruling’.
“We are challenging that the record of the Hansard should not be corrected just to omit the blunder made by BN ( Barisan Nasional) YBs (elected representatives) – trying to cover up their weaknesses or flaws.
“If I said something unparliamentary, perhaps even vulgarity in the Dewan, it would be recorded in the Hansard unless directed to withdraw,” she elaborated.
Yong reiterated the importance of actual recording that should not be based on a person’s whims and fancies.