KUCHING: The terminology used in Commonwealth countries will be the basis and reference for studying the use of the new term for the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
In stating this, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that appropriate terminology will be studied based on the legal provisions used especially in Commonwealth countries.
“In Canada, (they) use the Provincial Parliament, so we look at the appropriate use of words from a legal point of view. So, we ask the Attorney-General (of Malaysia) to see which is more appropriate.
“Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali and the relevant committee are also looking into this matter,” he said.
He said this to reporters after visiting a Hari Raya gathering at Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri’s residence on today (May 5).
Abang Johari added that the adaptation of the new name will also depend on public feedback.
“We look at the trends of the public and adjust the correct terminology according to the legislation used in the Commonwealth countries.
“When we use the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS), it will eventually become ADUS (Sarawak assemblyperson) for the elected representatives.
“So, we need to look at this matter from a legal terminology perspective first,” he said.
The Speaker of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar previously said that a proposal was made to drop the word ‘state’ in the State Legislative Assembly terminology because Sarawak under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) is referred to as a region.
