THE motion to amend the Standing Orders of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) was passed today (Nov 12).
Tabled by Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts, Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, the proposed amendments involved changes to Standing Orders 20, 32(10), 40(3), 86, and 90.
“There is a need to update the Standing Orders to address new developments and challenges that have arisen, which are not adequately covered by the Standing Orders of Parliament and State Legislatures in Malaysia.
“The proposed amendments, attached herewith as Appendix I, aim to improve the governance of proceedings in the Dewan by ensuring that allegations made in the Dewan are substantiated and verified.
“These amendments are also necessary to address the misuse of social media and press conferences, which have seen members making vitriolic and insidious comments ridiculing and scorning the rulings of the Speaker,” he said.
He also said the Standing Orders and Selection Committee of the DUN had, on Oct 30, 2024, consented to the proposed amendments to the Standing Orders.
Abdul Karim said that the proposed amendments aim to improve the governance of proceedings in the House by ensuring that allegations made in the House are substantiated and verified.
“Through these amendments, it is imperative to address recent developments and emerging challenges that are not sufficiently covered by the current Standing Orders of both Parliament and state legislatures in Malaysia.
“As the legislative landscape continues to evolve, these amendments are crucial to ensuring that the governing rules remain adaptable, comprehensive, and capable of effectively managing contemporary issues while maintaining the integrity of parliamentary proceedings,” he said.
Further, he added, the proposed amendments are also critical in addressing the growing misuse of social media and press conferences, where certain members have made inflammatory and contemptuous remarks that seek to undermine and ridicule the authority of the Speaker’s rulings.
“This Dewan is the highest legislative body of the state. The proceedings of this Dewan should be conducted with dignity, solemnity, and decorum. What is said in this Dewan and reported outside could influence the unity and harmony of the multi-ethnic community in the state.
“Therefore, it is important that all deliberations and decisions of this Dewan be honoured and respected. Misrepresentation of anything said or transpired in this Dewan, either to the press or to the public, must be avoided.
“Additionally, we already have the avenue to discuss and debate in this August House.
“Therefore, all rulings and decisions made later by the Speaker ought to be duly respected and should not become a matter of public ridicule and contempt through comments and misrepresentation to the media. We have already seen cases where members ridicule the rulings of the Speaker with verbose and vitriolic remarks the minute the meeting of the August House is adjourned,” he said.
He added that it is necessary to amend the Standing Orders to address the misuse of social media and press conferences, which have seen members openly ridiculing the rulings of the Speaker through lengthy, inflammatory, and vitriolic remarks, undermining the authority and decorum of the proceedings.
