KUCHING: Rise of Social Efforts (ROSE) has expressed strong support for Machan assemblyman Allan Siden Gramong’s proposal to extend the number of sitting days for the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
ROSE, in a statement yesterday, concurred with Siden that the current schedule limits discussions on critical constituency issues.
It said that currently, Yang Berhormat (YBs) are often rushed during their speeches and face time constraints during question and answer (Q&A) sessions with ministers.
“At present, each DUN session is limited to eight sitting days, amounting to only 16 days annually. During the recently concluded sitting, while 350 questions were submitted for oral and written responses, only 41 were addressed orally—averaging just 10 answers per day over the four days allocated for Q&A sessions.
“The limited time also affects the ability to address key questions adequately, hindering transparency and accountability.
“Unanswered questions lapse, depriving constituents, voters, and civil society organisations of crucial information necessary for shaping strategies and services,” it said.
ROSE added that increasing sitting days would enable more structured debates and extended Q&A sessions to better address the needs of Sarawakians.
“Given Sarawak’s broader legislative powers under the State and Concurrent Lists of the Federal Constitution compared to other states, and ongoing efforts to secure administrative and fiscal devolution under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), such an initiative is both timely and essential,” it added.
ROSE highlights that extended sitting days would empower backbenchers and opposition members to fulfil their roles as lawmakers, providing oversight and acting as a check-and-balance on the state government.
“For comparison, Selangor’s state assembly convenes for 22 days annually, significantly more than Sarawak’s current practice,” it added.
ROSE urged DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar to prioritise the proposal from the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) Backbenchers Club.
“Extending sitting days would benefit elected representatives and constituents, fostering stronger governance and transparency,” it said.
