Speaker on tomorrow's Assembly sitting
Published on: Sun, Jul 06, 2025 Text Size: Kadzim revealed that the two-day meeting will also debate three Bills: the State Sales Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Forest (Constitution of Forest Reserves Amendment) Bill 2025, and a new Bill, the Sabah Climate Change and Carbon Governance Bill 2025. Kota Kinabalu: The Second Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 16th Sabah State Legislative Assembly (DUN) set to begin Monday is expected to attract public attention. According to Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M. Yahya, this is due to many perceiving this session as the last before the dissolution.
Advertisement 'According to the constitution, there must be at least three sittings a year. What's fueling the public's excitement this time is that many assume or feel that this could be the final sitting before dissolution. 'In terms of preparations, nothing special. Everything is as usual, the questions too. This is just the second session in the annual calendar. 'If dissolution happens after this, then this will be the final sitting for this term. But if not, who knows, we may still have a third session to meet the constitutional requirement. Usually, the second session is for supplementary supply bills,' he said. Kadzim revealed that the two-day meeting will also debate three Bills: the State Sales Tax (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Forest (Constitution of Forest Reserves Amendment) Bill 2025, and a new Bill, the Sabah Climate Change and Carbon Governance Bill 2025. 'This time, in addition to the supply bill, we also have three other bills. One is on forestry, which is an amendment. Another is an amendment to the SST, and the third is a new law, a bill on Climate Change and Carbon Governance. 'It's not a special budget, just a supplementary provision for things that weren't budgeted in the previous budget but now need to be spent on, so we need the Assembly's approval for the additional expenditure,' he explained. On public perception that it is difficult to access the Assembly premises, Kadzim clarified that certain rules must be followed by observers in line with the gazettement of the Sabah State Assembly as a restricted and protected area, effective 2 September 2024. 'We're not forbidding or blocking people from coming, but we don't want the DUN to become like an event at SICC where people crowd in. 'So, if people say it's difficult to attend DUN sittings now, that's not entirely true. 'Many YBs, when there are people from their constituencies who want to observe the sitting, we allow it. But not for a full day or every day. If their representative is speaking and they want to come and follow it live, we allow that,' he stressed. He added that the entry rules for the Sabah State Assembly are no different from Parliament since both have been gazetted as restricted areas and therefore prioritise security measures. 'The SOPs and rules are basically the same, it's just that Parliament is bigger. It's even more difficult to get in there, all entrances are tightly controlled. At most, people can enter the lobby area, but not everyone can enter the chamber freely. 'The chamber is a place for debate and speeches. If there are too many people talking, it becomes disruptive. Some don't understand the rules of the House, like clapping is not allowed. The convention is to tap the table as a sign of appreciation, and that distinguishes it from concerts or launch events, which have their own norms. 'Just like in court, you can't clap there either. But no one complains about how hard it is to get into court,' he said jokingly. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rakyat Post
4 hours ago
- Rakyat Post
Senior PKR MPs Demand Royal Commission Over Judge Appointment Allegations
Subscribe to our FREE Nine PKR parliamentarians have called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate serious allegations surrounding judicial appointments, drawing parallels to Malaysia's 2007 VK Lingam video scandal amid claims of attempted influence over court decisions and judge appointments. The demand was made during a special press conference on Monday, where the MPs outlined a comprehensive six-point action plan, including parliamentary investigations, nationwide public forums, and cross-party mobilisation, to address what they termed a crisis threatening judicial independence. Former PKR Deputy President Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli detailed four specific allegations requiring government explanation: First, nominations for new judges across all court levels submitted by the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC) to the government have not been addressed appropriately, resulting in urgent vacancies. Second, nominations for the Chief Justice and Court of Appeal President positions had already been decided by JAC before Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat's retirement and submitted to the Prime Minister; however, appointments were not made, resulting in the current vacancies. Third, a JAC meeting was called last Friday without adhering to the required 10-day notice period to make fresh nominations for vacant positions. Most seriously, a Federal Court judge was summoned to a previous JAC meeting to explain allegations of attempting to influence case decisions and judge transfers – claims now substantiated by a police report filed by the judge. Echoes of the VK Lingam Scandal The MPs drew explicit parallels to the 2007 VK Lingam video scandal, noting that the Federal Court judge called before JAC was a former special officer to Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim in 2003—the same former Chief Justice implicated in the original scandal. 'The last time the judicial institution was embroiled in controversy involving allegations of influence over case decisions and judge appointments was the VK Lingam video scandal in 2007,' the MPs stated in their joint declaration. This historical connection has raised concerns among legal practitioners and civil society about potential attempts to influence judicial appointments and court decisions, mirroring the earlier scandal. Beyond demanding a Royal Commission, the MPs outlined an extensive response strategy. They will formally request that Parliament's Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Elections, and Institutional Reform investigate, including summoning the Prime Minister for testimony. A formal letter will be sent to the committee chairman, William Leong, and all members. MPs Launch Multi-Pronged Campaign Strategy The group plans to mobilise cross-party parliamentary support and launch nationwide public forums, beginning in Kuala Lumpur/Selangor on Sunday, 13 July, at 8:30 PM, before expanding to major cities nationwide. An online petition will be launched to demonstrate public support for defending judicial independence. Appointments to fill key judicial vacancies should be based on previous JAC proceedings rather than new nominations made amid the current controversy. The statement was jointly signed by nine PKR parliamentarians: Rafizi Ramli (Pandan), Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Setiawangsa), Wong Chen (Subang), Rodziah Ismail (Ampang), Zahir Hassan (Wangsa Maju), Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (Balik Pulau), Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Ledang), S Kesavan (Sungai Siput), and Onn Abu Bakar (Batu Pahat). Timing Amid Leadership Transition The allegations emerge during a critical transition period for Malaysia's judiciary. Tengku Maimun concluded her historic tenure as the country's first female Chief Justice on Wednesday after six years of service. The Federal Court's Chief Registrar's Office announced Thursday that Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim would exercise Chief Justice powers under Article 131A of the Federal Constitution and relevant provisions of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964. The MPs urged Malaysians to pay attention to the controversy despite other competing issues, emphasising its significant future impact on the country and its citizens. We call on all Malaysians to pay attention to this issue which has major implications for the people and country in the future, even though it may seem trivial amid various other issues. The controversy represents a test of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's administration's commitment to judicial independence—a cornerstone principle of both PKR and Pakatan Harapan's political platform. Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Hasnah Mohammed Hashim named as acting CJ today. I remember in 2019, when Tun Richard Malanjum retired on 12 April, Tun Tengku Maimun was appointed as CJ on 2 May, some weeks later. I cannot recall at the time whether an acting CJ was appointed. — Syahredzan Johan (@syahredzan) Constitutional Framework The appointment arrangement was made in accordance with Article 131A of the Federal Constitution, as well as provisions under Section 9(1)(b) and Section 9(3) of the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 [Act 91]. The constitutional provisions ensure continuity in judicial leadership during transition periods; however, the allegations by PKR MPs raise concerns about the broader appointment process beyond this immediate arrangement. The PKR parliamentarians' demand for a Royal Commission reflects growing calls for transparency in judicial appointments, a critical component of Malaysia's separation of powers and judicial independence. Their allegations, if substantiated, could raise questions about the government's handling of judicial nominations and adherence to established procedures in the appointment process. The phrase "Soft strength wields the strongest power" finds its living embodiment in Tun Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, Malaysia's first female Chief Justice, whose tenure has been marked not by flamboyance or force, but by quiet integrity, calm command, and unshakable adherence to… — Siti Kasim (@sitikasim) READ MORE : Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
Borneo Post
4 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Bill's passing gives voice to ‘every corner of Sarawak' – Dr Annuar
Dr Annuar speaks during the Motion of Adjournment. – Penerangan photo KUCHING (July 7): The passing of the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Members) Bill 2025 marks a significant milestone for Sarawak, with far-reaching implications for democratic representation, social equity and rural development. Speaking during the Motion of Adjournment for the special one-day sitting of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) today, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee (GPS-Nangka) said the expansion of seats would allow more voices from across Sarawak to be heard in the legislature. 'Because of today, the voices of the people from every corner of Sarawak will increase in this august House. 'This is important in democratic practice. A government based on democracy, that is, a government of the people, by the people, and for the people,' he said. He said the clearest outcome from the day's debates was the shared priority among most assemblymen to ensure that every community in Sarawak had a voice in the law-making process. 'For a diverse state like Sarawak, equity—or fairness—is critical. If we apply the principle of 'One man, one vote, one value', minority groups will continue to be marginalised. 'In the end, the majority will govern in a totalitarian manner, and this is not good for democracy.' Dr Annuar also addressed criticisms suggesting that the proposed increase in state seats could lead to gerrymandering—the manipulation of electoral boundaries to favour certain political outcomes. He firmly rejected this concern, stressing that voting outcomes in Sarawak have historically reflected voters' choices, not 'boundary engineering'. 'For example in 2016, Democratic Action Party won seven seats. However, in 2022, without any redelineation, they suffered major losses and were left with only two seats, Pending and Padungan. 'This clearly proves that their defeat was not due to gerrymandering.' Responding to concerns over the cost of additional seats, Dr Annuar said the development impact far outweighed the expenditure on elected representatives' allowances. 'Some have said that this will increase government spending because we have to pay allowances to 17 new assembly members. True, their allowances may cost around RM4.5 million a year, but those 17 new areas will enjoy a development budget of RM120 million. 'So, are we to deny RM120 million in development just because of RM4.5 million in allowances? That's an illogical comparison and merely aimed at confusing the public,' he said. The special sitting adjourned sine die at 5.44pm.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Sarawak electoral boundaries under EC jurisdiction, not state government
KUCHING: The redrawing of electoral boundaries in Sarawak following the addition of 17 new seats is entirely under the purview of the Election Commission (EC), said Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah. He clarified that neither Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), the state government, nor the State Legislative Assembly has any influence over the process. 'GPS, this august House or the state government of the day, has no say whatsoever on the redelineation of the new 17 seats, as it is entirely the prerogative of the EC,' Abdul Karim stated during the debate on the Dewan Undangan Negeri (Composition of Membership) Bill 2025. His comments came in response to opposition concerns after the bill was passed, increasing the number of elected representatives from 82 to 99. Abdul Karim emphasised the EC's independence, noting its members are appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after consulting the Conference of Rulers. 'Accusing the state government or this House of gerrymandering undermines those appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. It is the EC that will conduct this exercise,' he added. Following the session, Abdul Karim confirmed the Sarawak government will formally notify the EC of the bill's passage but did not specify a timeline for the redelineation. 'That part is for the EC to do. I'm not aware of any set timeframe. Our role is to notify them that the State Legislative Assembly has passed the bill and now it is up to them to proceed,' he said. – Bernama
