KUCHING: Three government bills will be introduced during the Second Meeting of the First Session of the 19th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Sitting, which is scheduled for May 17 to 26.
According to DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, the bills are Supplementary Supply (2022) Bill, 2022, Land Code (Amendment) Bill, 2022 as well as Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2022.
They would all be read for the first time on May 18.
“Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, who is also the Second Minister of Finance and New Economy, will table the Supplementary Supply (2022) Bill, 2022, with the second and third readings taking place on May 20.
“The Land Code (Amendment) Bill, 2022, will be tabled by Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Law, MA63, and State-Federal Relations), with the second and third readings taking place on May 18.
“Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also the Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, will table the Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2022, with the second and third readings scheduled on May 19,” he explained.
He said this at a press conference after attending the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) pre-council meeting chaired by the Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Headquarters in Jalan Bako here, today.
Asfia added the coming sitting would also include the question-and-answer session.
“As of April 29, 347 questions for oral and written replies were received from 41 members, of which 284 are for oral replies which had been submitted by 29 members, and 63 are written replies of which had been submitted by 15 members.
“With 56 queries, the Premier’s Department received the most,” he stated.
The eight-day DUN Sitting marks a full schedule ahead for the august House starting with the opening ceremony as well as address by Head of State (TYT) Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Tuesday (May 17).
The Head of State and his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib would arrive at the DUN Complex’s parade ground at 9.30am where Taib would participate in the inspection of Guards of Honour.
“The motion of appreciation of TYT’s speech will be carried out on Thursday (May 19) followed by debates on the speech on the same day, May 20 and 23.
“Priorities will be given to 17 newly elected members for them to deliver their maiden speeches,” he said.
He also said that DUN had received a Private Member’s Motion under Standing Order 23 from Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How.
“The motion is on the Continental Shelf and Territorial Sea Act,” he stressed.
In addition, Asfia said the DUN Sitting will also witness the election of Senator on May 18 in view that the second term for Senator Dr Zaiedi Suhaili will expire on July 18.
Also present were DUN Deputy Speaker Datuk Idris Buang and DUN secretary Pele Peter Tinggom.
