Press Statement By Chiew Chiu Sing:
Tanjong Batu State Assemblyman Chiew Chin Sing is urging Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari to request the Governor to convene a Special Sarawak State Legislative Council so that next year’s budget can be passed.
“With the State of Emergency extended and Parliament Sitting currently suspended, it is wise for Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari to request the Governor to convene a Special Sarawak State Legislative Council as soon as possible.
“We all know that the extension of a State of Emergency was to avoid a state election that could possibly serve as a ground for the spread of Covid-19. Thus, I do not see any reason why a proper State Legislative Council cannot take place,” he pointed out.
According to him, the meeting is not only to debate and pass 2022 budget, supplementary supplies but also to discuss on matters related to the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the rate of the ongoing vaccination programme.
“Of course we need to convene the Legislative Council Meeting to pass the budget for 2022, but equally important is the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Even with our high vaccination rate, our war against Covid-19 is still far from over, especially with the spread of the Delta Variant now. We also need this meeting to path ways to the recovery of our economy,” he pointed out.
Apart from that, Chiew said it was also vital for the State Legislative Council to convened so that efforts can be garnered to act concertedly in one accord.
“Through decisions made in State Legislative Council Meeting, we can mobilise each and everyone of our people, and from ourselves, in an all out effort on this war against Covid-19 and to path ways to our economic recovery.
“I do not foresee any problem in the physical presence of all the members in the meeting. After all, there are only 81 of them and all have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
“In comparision, Parliament has 222 members had they sat for four days last week without problem,” he stressed.
Chiew stressed that Parliamentary Democracy consists of the Legislative, Executive and the Judiciary, where each of them plays a role in ensuring check and balance.
“Thus, for proper functioning of a healthy democracy, there is no reason that we should reduced it to a two stroke engine.
“I hope that the Special Legislative Council Meeting would be an ordinary council meeting in accordance with the normal practices and Standing Orders and not just a series of ministerial statements, briefings and reports.
“There should be question time, motions from both sides of the house, the government and the opposition as well as debates by all members,” said Chiew further.
