KUCHING: “Not light and breezy” were the words used by the speaker of the State Legislative Assembly Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar when he described the work of secretary to the House.
He said this yesterday when Pele Peter Tinggom from Saratok took his oath as the new secretary before him in accordance with Article 22A of the Sarawak Constitution. The ceremony was held at the state legislature’s own building in Petra Jaya.
Asfia pointed out that the secretary is required to attend all assemblies of the House in order to know its procedures such as how ministers answer questions, how ministers table their motions, how they wind up their speeches and other matters.
“The work is tough because in reality, life is tough but I believe that Pele will execute his tasks well,” he said.
Asfia also recalled that Pele was no stranger to the state legislature because he served as its parliamentary officer since 2009 and deputy secretary of the House since 2011.
Pele, 48, said he was grateful to Asfia and his deputy Datuk Gerawat Gala as well as the state government for having appointed him as the new secretary.
He promised to execute his tasks to the best of his ability and will work together with his new team.
Pele — a son of the late Datuk Seri Peter Tinggom (former Deputy Minister for National Unity and Community Development) — was an assistant secretary at the State Financial Secretary’s Office in 2002.
He continued his career as a civil servant at the state Public Utilities Ministry in 2004, Regional Corridor of Development Authority (Recoda), Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, Prime Minister’s Department, and state Utilities Ministry.
He graduated in 1996 from Anglia Ruskin University, UK (formerly known as Anglia Polytechnic University) with Bachelor in Laws (Honours).
The post of secretary of the state legislature was previously held by Semawi Mohamad.
