KUCHING: The upcoming Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting next month is expected to see adjustment in the seating arrangements of the three state assemblymen from the now-dissolved Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).
DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar said the seating arrangement will be adjusted accordingly and be announced after the pre-council meeting and before the DUN sit.
“On April 12, at 8.20 am, I received a letter dated April 9 from the president of Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
“The letter informed me that Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh (Bawang Assan assemblyman), Johnical Rayong (Engkilili) and Baru Bian (Ba’Kelalan) had joined PDP and were accepted by PDP as members of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component party.
“PDP requested me to consider making arrangements so that they will be taken out of the opposition bloc to the government bloc. But I have yet to reply to the letter because I just received it on April 12,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters at the DUN’s Hari Raya open house held at the DUN Complex on Sunday (Apr 14).
Asfia added a copy of the letter was also submitted to the Premier and GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
As to whether he needs to consult Abang Johari on the seating arrangement, Asfia said Under Standing Order 2, it is the discretion of the Speaker to arrange who sits where in the DUN.
“But, of course, out of courtesy, the Premier is the leader of the House. I will flash a signal to him,” he said.
Asked on when he will reply to Tiong’s letter, Asfia responded, “I don’t need to reply. I reply through you (reporters)”.
He went on to say he will make the announcement on the seating arrangement for Wong,
Rayong, and Baru at a press conference after the pre-council meeting.
To a question whether Wong, Rayong, Baru being accepted into PDP was a breach to the Anti-Party Hopping Law, he explained that PSB has been dissolved and its former members do not belong to any party and are not jumping from one party to another party.
“The party was dissolved and upon the dissolution, they decided individually to join PDP,” he said.
He also said there was no need for a by-election as Wong, Rayong, and Baru did not vacate their seats.
As for the position of Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, who is also a former PSB member, Asfia said the former remained an independent elected representative after leaving the party in 2022.
