State Legislative Assembly adjourned sine die

THE State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) adjourned sine die at 4.22pm yesterday after sitting for eight days since Nov 5.

During the second meeting of the third session of the 18th DUN, the 2019 State Budget or Supply (2019) Bill 2018 was passed without amendment.

The 2019 State Budget of RM11.9 billion tabled by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg was the biggest recorded so far.

The rural development-biased 2019 State Budget sees a substantial allocation of RM9.073 billion for development expenditure, of which RM6.049 billion or 67 per cent will be provided for the development of rural areas.

Taking into account an estimated total revenue of RM10.513 billion and a total proposed Ordinary Expenditure of RM10.391 billion, the 2019 Budget is expected to generate a surplus of RM122 million.

Another historic moment was recorded on Nov 6 when all assemblypersons from both government and opposition sides voted in favour of establishing a Consultative Committee to determine and agree upon the representation for submissions to the Sarawak representatives of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 ( MA63) Steering Committee.

The setting-up of this committee was moved by Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah in his ministerial motion.

Five private member bills by the opposition were, however, dismissed by DUN Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar.

Also, Mohd Asfia on Nov 12 referred Wong King Wei (DAPPadungan) to the privileges committee which sparked heated exchanges of words that saw Wong being escorted out of the chamber by security personnel.

Violet Yong ( DAP- Pending) was also referred to the privileges committee yesterday and was fined RM2,000 after she refused to apologise and withdraw a Facebook post which disparaged the august House and the Speaker.

This session also saw Works Minister Baru Bian and Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Chong Chieng Jen attending on the opposition side of the DUN in their capacity as assemblymen for Ba Kelalan and Kota Sentosa respectively.

The motion of adjournment was tabled by Assistant Minister of Women, Family and Childhood Development Rosey Yunus ( PBB-Bekenu).

Rosey, when tabling the motion, said this session was a pleasant one despite some interjections by the opposition members.

She said the Budget tabled by the chief minister was an ‘extraordinary’ one, and she hoped Sarawakians irrespective of political leaning will remain steadfast in protecting Sarawak’s rights.

When calling for the adjournment, Asfia expressed his gratitude to all members of the august House, noting that all government-related issues had been successfully and smoothly completed with cooperation and commitment from all parties.