KUCHING: The upcoming Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session in November will include a bill aimed at amending social media regulations to address new challenges and emerging issues.
DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said this decision was made during a recent meeting to amend the standing orders.
“The Speakers of Malaysia have decided to amend the standing orders to face new challenges and emerging phenomena.
“The state government has agreed to introduce a bill that can be presented at the upcoming State Legislative Assembly sitting,” he said.
He said this during a press conference after the officiation of the 2024 Conference of Speakers of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies held at Sarawak State Legislative Assembly here, today (Sept 13).
Meanwhile, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Johari Abdul said that nine resolutions have been proposed to enhance the roles and recognition of the Malaysian Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies.
He said each Speaker would present these resolutions to their respective State Legislative Assemblies and engage with state governments to announce the resolutions agreed upon at the conference.
“This aims to strengthen the institution. The Speaker is the pillar of the operations of either the State Legislative Assembly or Parliament. With the government’s response to these resolutions, I am confident it will strengthen the Speaker’s position in carrying out their duties,” he said.
According to Johari, Speakers will meet with state leaders and announce that these resolutions were achieved at the conference. The Federal and State Governments are then requested to respond.
Among the key resolutions are efforts to encourage Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies to actively engage the public, enhancing understanding of their roles and importance. Another focus is ensuring the autonomy of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies through laws reinforcing the separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches.
Additionally, it was proposed to make the Conference of Parliamentary and State Assembly Secretaries an annual event before the Speaker’s Conference. One of the proposals includes having State Legislative Assembly Secretaries focus solely on legislative duties and no longer serve in the State Executive Council, in accordance with State Constitutions, among other matters.
