Kuching: Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong has expressed deep disappointment over the decision by Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar to reject her question seeking a breakdown of the state government spending on official overseas trips over the past five years.
The question, which aimed to reveal the expenditures involving the Premier, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and their family members, was disallowed by the Speaker, who cited Standing Orders 20(3), 20(4), and 20(6). Asfia dismissed the query as focusing on matters considered “trivial” or “pittance” value.
Violet Yong, however, strongly disagreed with the ruling, stating that it undermines transparency, accountability, and the public’s right to know how government funds are used.
“We are not questioning the necessity of official overseas missions when they are truly for the benefit of Sarawak. What we are demanding is accountability in how public funds are spent.
“As elected representatives, we must uphold the public trust. How can we fulfil that responsibility when legitimate questions are blocked under the vague pretext of being “against public policy”?” she asked in a statement today.
Violet Yong warned that using standing orders to shut down financial scrutiny sets a “dangerous precedent,” suggesting it could be used to avoid answering legitimate questions about public spending in the future.
“It is alarming that while the Sarawak GPS government claims to have nothing to hide, it refuses to disclose basic financial details,” she added.
She also countered the Speaker’s claim that in-person overseas engagements are essential, saying the concern is not about the trips themselves but the cost, scope, and outcomes of those visits.
“The people of Sarawak are not asking for classified trade secrets. They are simply asking how the tax money was spent, especially when public welfare, healthcare, infrastructure, and rural development remain inadequate across many parts of our state,” she said.
Violet Yong further argued that suppressing her question risks damaging public confidence and feeding a culture of opacity.
“Dismissing calls for transparency as disruptive to Sarawak’s so-called ‘economic miracle’ is both irresponsible and unacceptable.
“True economic progress does not fear scrutiny but embraces it,” she said, urging the government to disclose full details of overseas expenditures over the past five years.
She rebuked sharply: “If the Sarawak GPS government is bold enough to spend the rakyat’s money, why are you so afraid to tell the rakyat the truth?”
, 20(4), and 20(6). Asfia dismissed the query as focusing on matters considered "trivial" or "pittance" value.){kind=link}