Motion on citizens-initiated referendum voted down

KUCHING: The motion on citizens-initiated referendum which is a direct democracy based on a Swiss model tabled by See Chee How ( PKR- Batu Lintang), was put to vote but only nine members agreed and 58 disagreed to grant leave for his motion to be debated.

It was one of six private members’ motions tabled on the second day of the State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) sitting yesterday.

The other five motions, four from DAP and one from PKR, were dismissed by Speaker Datuk Amar Asfia Awang Nassar.

They were brought up by David Wong Kee Woan ( DAP-Pelawan), Chiew Chiu Sing ( DAP-Tanjong Batu), Chong Chieng Jen ( DAPKota Sentosa) and Wong King Wei ( DAP-Padawan).

David’s first motion sought for the removal of restrictive standing orders to create impartiality by the Speaker; for the Public Accounts Committee ( PAC) chairman to be from the opposition; for questions by elected representatives whether oral or written be given with answers; for the scraping of the constituency development fund for elected representatives; for live TV telecast of DUN sitting; and for the sitting to be increased to three.

In his second motion, David asked that appointed community leaders must not belong to any political party and if they were, they must resign; community leaders must be able to speak English; they must be stationed in the district or Resident’s office on rotation; and appointment must be through the recommendation of non-governmental organisations (NGO) such as the United Chinese Association.

Chiew tabled a motion asking for the allocation of five acres to those interested in agriculture and that the allocated land must have access to government roads and an agency be set up to take charge of the success of the project.

Asfia said Chiew’s proposal to set up one more agency dealing with agriculture and land development is not necessary.

“I believe the Chief Minister and the Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development will deliberate and elaborate on this matter in their winding up speech later on,” he said.

Chong tabled a motion on the disclosure of the progress of a motion tabled by him on the increase of oil and gas royalty from five per cent to 20 per cent that was passed unanimously on May 6 2014.

In dismissing Chong’s motion, the Speaker said the issue would be addressed by the Chief Minister in his winding-up.

The last motion, which was tabled by Wong King Wei, sought the setting up of Sarawak Public Transport Consultative Committee for the proposed LRT in the state.

Asfia said the setting up of Sarawak Public Transport Consultative Committee would incur unnecessary cost and therefore he dismissed the motion.