Taib opens second meeting of 19th Sarawak DUN

KUCHING: The second meeting of the first term of the 19th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting started yesterday, marking the first time the august House convened under relaxed Covid-19 restrictions since the pandemic began.

The sitting, which will run for eight days until May 26, was officially opened by Yang diPertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

The Head of State and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib arrived at Parade Square of the DUN Complex in Petra Jaya here around 10am.

They were welcomed by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar upon their arrival.

Taib then inspected the Guard of Honour comprising 105 members of which three were officers and 102 were of various posts from the General Operations Force and the Royal Malaysia Police, led by DSP Muhammad Izzat Fahim Mohd Sofi.

Among the dignitaries present were Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang and Deputy Premiers of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian.

Following the inspection, the national and state anthems were played before all dignitaries and members of the august House made their way to the DUN Hall for Taib’s opening speech.

This DUN sitting will see the tabling of three Bills, two of which are being introduced for the first time in the country.

The Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2022, and Forests (Amendment) Bill 2022, will be tabled by Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak’s Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations) Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali and Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, respectively.

The first, second and third readings of the Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2022 will be read today (May 18) while the first reading of the Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2022 will also be held today, followed by the second and third readings on May 19.

The third Bill, which is the Supplementary Supply (2022) Bill, 2022, will be tabled by Deputy Premier of Sarawak Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas today followed by the second and third readings on May 20.

The eight-day DUN sitting marks a full schedule ahead for the august House where in addition to debates to the motion of appreciation of the TYT’s speech as well as the three Bills, there will also be an election of Senator today.