The Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting turned contentious on Tuesday (Nov 12) during the debate on the Natural Resources and Environment Bill 2024 when Wilfred Yap (GPS-Kota Sentosa) interrupted Violet Yong (DAP-Pending) for allegedly going off-topic.
As Yong debated the Bill, Yap invoked Standing Order 32(1), which stipulates that members must confine their observations to the subject under discussion and avoid introducing irrelevant matters.
“I call on the Speaker to make a ruling because it is not fair for other members of this august House to listen to this kind of rhetoric which has nothing to do with the bill,” said Yap.
The Speaker then upheld the Standing Order, prompting Yong to argue that debating a bill encompasses broader policy discussions related to the environment.
“So I think the Deputy Premier (Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan) is paying attention to my speech here. So, why let this Kota Sentosa (assemblyman) interrupt?
“You can ask the Deputy Premier, he is nodding his head. He understands what I said. If Kota Sentosa does not understand what I am arguing or debating in this House…”
The Speaker then asked Yong to move to another point. Yong said she had two more paragraphs to go to conclude her debate.
The Speaker then continued: “This is not about the ombudsman.”
Yong then said that it is not about the ombudsman but emphasised the effectiveness of environmental policies.
“Are you saying this ombudsman legislation is not relevant to the Natural Resources Department?
The Speaker then said: “Apart from the ombudsman, we have the Public Account Committee that is still doing its job while the ombudsman is additional.”
As Yong attempted to finish her speech, Yap raised Standing Order 32(6), arguing that she was anticipating improper actions by the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB).
“Because by raising this particular ombudsman, you are anticipating that NREB will act out of scope in overseeing the natural resources and environment in Sarawak.
“So you are imputing improper motives and allegations that they might not function as they should. That is out of order,” he said.
The Speaker then tried to calm the situation, with Yong saying that what she raised was only her observations and suggestions.
“If you are not happy with my suggestion, brush it off. Ignore it. But I have the right to express it here,” she said.
Yong then called the Sarawak government to emulate Swedish Ombudsman model, which includes Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act and the Freedom of the Press Act.
Yap stood up to say: “I think this is out of order.” Yong then said: “I support this bill.”
