Search

82 reps to take their oath

Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp
Telegram
Email
Asfia (centre) reading out the details on the upcoming DUN sitting, while Idris (left) and Pele (right) look on. Photo: JaPen Sarawak

KUCHING: A total of 82 state elected representatives who won in the just concluded state election will be taking their oath before the Speaker on the first day of State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting.

The First Meeting of the First Session of the 19th DUN sitting will take place from Feb 14 to 16.

At a press conference at the DUN Complex on Saturday (Feb 12), DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said on that day, 82 Honorable Members were invited to attend the oath taking ceremony with their spouses.

“Besides that, the three-day special DUN sitting is also in line with to fulfill the Constitutional requirement for the Dewan to have its first sitting within 120 days from the date of the dissolution of the Dewan.

“These 120 days’ constitutional requirement is pursuant to Article 21 (4) of the Sarawak Constitution.

“Whereby, Article 21 (4) of the Sarawak Constitution states, whenever the DUN is dissolved, a general election shall be held within 60 days from the date of dissolution and the new DUN shall summoned to meet on a date not later than 120 from that date,” he said.

Asfia added   the normal order of business, namely,  the opening of the DUN with the Royal Address by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, debate on the Royal Address and question time for the elected representative, would be held at a later date which yet to be decided by the state government.

“For this session, there will also be no winding-up speeches by the ministers,” he said.

To a question on whether the chambers could occupy all 82 elected representatives during the sitting in view of the COVID-19 situation, Asfia replied that it could be done.

“Yes. We follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs). Our chambers is spacious and can accommodate up to 180 people,” he said.

In the 12th state election, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) won a majority of 76 out of the 82 state seats.

Opposition party, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) won four seats while another opposition party, Democratic Action Party (DAP) captured two seats.

Also present at the press conference today were Deputy DUN Speaker Datuk Idris Buang and DUN Secretary Pele Peter Tinggom.

Download from Apple Store or Play Store.