Assembly sitting adjourned sine die at 12.15pm

THE second session of the 18th State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) Sitting adjourned sine die at 12.15pm yesterday.

The eight- day sitting, which started on Nov 21, saw the passing of two Bills namely Supply ( 2017) Bill, 2016 and Distribution of Gas Bill, 2016.

The Supply ( 2017) Bill, 2016 was passed at noon yesterday after its third reading by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem and seconded by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.

When it was first tabled, Adenan announced that the state would spend a total of RM5.706 billion on ordinary expenditure which was RM385 million more than its expected total revenue of RM5.321 billion in the proposed state budget for next year.

This was the first deficit budget after 14 consecutive years of surplus.

The first day of DUN sitting also saw the passing of the Distribution of Gas Bill, 2016 after receiving the majority of ‘yes’ votes from members of the august House.

Following the passing of the Bill, Minister of Public Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi said his ministry had plans to promote gas-related industries in Sarawak and that the Bill was essential to accelerate industrial development of the state.

Another highlight of the sitting was the suspension of Chong Chieng Jen ( DAP-Kota Sentosa) on the first day for making unsubstantiated, baseless and misleading allegations that RM250 million for minor rural projects ( MRPs) in 2015 “obviously had gone missing and not accounted for” even before any detailed account was given by the chief minister.

Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar gave Chong ample opportunities to withdraw the allegations committed under Standing Order 32( 6) and Standing Order 40( 3), but because he refused to withdraw the allegation, Asfia had to name him under Standing Order 40( 4) and a motion was moved to suspend him for the rest of the session by Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.

Asfia also dismissed all eight motions filed from six opposition members of the august House.