Asfia urges senators to focus on economic issues

KUCHING: Speaker of the Sarawak State Legi slat ive Assembly ( DUN) Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar has called for more attention to be given to economic issues.

He made this suggestion during a closed- door meeting with a delegation from Dewan Negara Reform Working Committee (JKRDN) led by chairman Senator Mohd Yusmadi Mohd Yusoff.

“The Speaker ( Asfia) raised the issue of economy, which is an important issue. Senators can consider giving focus on this issue,” Yusmadi said when met by journalists following the twohour meeting that took place at the DUN Complex in Petra Jaya here yesterday.

Yusmadi said delegates from Sarawak at the meeting were asked about their aspirations.

“To us, senators represent a state. I thank DUN Sarawak for not just welcoming us but also, I learnt a lot from them, on democracy, harmony and all that.”

On the working visit, he said “we are now still at the initial stage of preparing reports (for the Parliamentary Select Committee for Parliamentary Reform and Good Governance)”.

He said the committee welcomed any suggestion but would have to shortlist the feedback to what’s more appropriate.

“It is of utmost importance for us to restore the role of the upper house, which should also matter to the people.

“One of it being to look at how to make sure senators can play their role more effectively in order to benefit the people in general,” he added.

Yusmadi asserted that the relevancy of the upper house to the community had to be further enhanced. According to him, many people either lack the understanding or misunderstand the role and function of the upper house.

“I think that’s one of the challenges that we need to address.”

He said the committee would also look at issues such as management and structure aspects with the ultimate aim of enhancing the role of the upper house.

“We have stressed the importance of the Parliamentary Services Act, which should be reconsidered. What matters most is to restore relevancy and independency of the house.

“To me, it is more important to fulfi l the role of senators rather than the period of appointment. Among the roles are law-making and review institutions such as the upper house can introduce further improvement or review on what has been deliberated,” explained Yusmadi.