BY NATASHA JEE & ALEXANDRA LORNA
KUCHING: A ministerial motion which seeks to amend the Standing Orders of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) will be tabled at the upcoming sitting, scheduled from Nov 11 to 20.
DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said the existing Standing Orders are outdated and inadequate to face the present and current challenges, thus requiring an amendment.
He said the amendment would also seek to define the meaning of social media as it currently lacks a clear definition.
“So far, we have received no motion of Private Member’s Bill. However, there will be a ministerial motion under the Standing Order 23(1)(a). It will be moved by Datuk Seri Karim Abdul Rahman Hamzah on Nov 12 and seconded by Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.
“The current Standing Orders are inadequate. So, it requires an amendment so that when anyone who asks questions or makes statements, they must verify the statements, allegations or comments – whether made in newspapers, online news portals, social media and other online platforms, or of private individuals or bodies, whether they are accurate or truthful.
“Then any information, allegation or comment made by any person or organisation, including those published in the newspapers, online news portals, social media or any online platform, the veracity or truth thereof, has to be made.
“And if the person is unable, then the person cannot make that statement. So there must be veracity to the information, allegation made and veracity or truth to the source of that allegation and that statement,” he said.
He said this in a press conference after attending the pre-council meeting chaired by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters on Saturday (Nov 9).
As for potential penalties for members making unverified claims in the DUN, Asfia said the penalties would be governed by the Standing Orders.
“At the moment, the allegation and the statement made that offends the other (Assembly) member, this current Standing Order cannot apply. There is no nexus to it. So, this amendment allows a nexus.
“So, there must be a nexus between the current Standing Orders that send members out and the alleged offences that are made,” he said, adding that the amendment would also address issues on unverified statements that are made outside the DUN.
He stressed the amendment is intended to ensure that statements are grounded in truth and verified, particularly when Assembly members quote external sources like newspapers or online media.
“The Standing Order is inadequate. It does not mention social media. Then we want any information, statement, allegation must have the truth and the veracity.
“What is your source? You cannot just quote and make it look more respectable because it is an honourable member quoting a newspaper.
“You dignify an unsubstantiated allegation without any truth and veracity. You dignify it because you are saying it in the chambers of a legislature,” he said.
Asfia added the last time the Standing Orders were amended was in 2011 and much has changed since the last amendment.
“Much water has passed under the bridge. We are trying to bring new development. Then, when we amend, it is not the final one, it is a living thing. It moves with time and when necessary,” he said.
On another note, he said that two members had requested permission to be absent from the session due to other work commitments.
“One will be absent for the entire eight-day session, while the other will miss three days due to official duties at the federal level.
“We will reveal the names of the two lawmakers on the first day of the sitting, as this is a tradition in the DUN,” said Asfia.
