KUCHING: There is not enough time until the Emergency is lifted for a State Legislative Assembly (DUN) meeting to be held, said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He pointed out that it is time consuming to call for a DUN sitting and that it is nearly impossible for another DUN sitting to be held prior to Aug 1.
Abdul Karim explained that one of the stipulations for a DUN sitting is the issuance of a Statutory Notice to all state representatives 28 days prior to the intended date of the sitting.
“Apart from the notice, many other preparations such as questions from elected members — which will normally be forwarded to the respective ministries for answers — will also take time.
“Time definitely is not on our side to call for the sitting,” he told New Sarawak Tribune on Monday (June 21).
The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister was commenting on a call by the Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party (Aspirasi) president Lina Soo for the state government to convene the last DUN meeting as soon as possible before the 12th state election (PRN12).
“Lina won’t know this because she has never been a representative before and probably doesn’t understand fully how the system works,” he added.
In view of the current circumstances, Abdul Karim said he is also unsure whether a DUN sitting could be held as the existing DUN tenure legally ended on June 6.
“I opine that in view of the likelihood that our DUN will automatically dissolve on Aug 1, just let it dissolve and we let the rakyat determine who will be the state government after the upcoming election.
“Just be patient and don’t get over excited. The sitting can always be held after we know who has the majority to form the government,” he advised.
Commenting further on Aspirasi’s call for a final DUN sitting to be held, he said it might only be a publicity stunt to gain public attention.
“Personally, I think Lina Soo is just pulling a publicity stunt to get in the news when she makes that suggestion for a final DUN sitting to convene before the Emergency is lifted.
“Or probably she is just playing to the gallery to show that she is a responsible citizen and wants to ensure that the DUN is doing something (at this time),” he added.
