Latest news with #SarawakStateLegislativeAssembly
Borneo Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sarawak DUN wraps up session with six Bills passed, senator reappointed
Sharifah Hasidah moved the motion to adjourn the sitting. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (May 28): The first meeting of the fourth session of the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN), which saw the passing of six bills and the approval of a motion to reappoint a member to the Dewan Negara, was adjourned sine die at 5.13pm today. Deputy Minister in the Premier of Sarawak's Department (Law, MA63 and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali, moved the motion to adjourn the sitting. On May 20, three bills were passed – starting with the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill 2025, tabled by State Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Dato Sri Roland Sagah Wee Inn. The Bill aims to strengthen the state's biodiversity governance, ensuring it remains effective, sustainable, and economically viable. It also empowers Sarawak to harness its rich biological resources while promoting the commercialisation of scientific advancements. The Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2025, tabled by State Deputy Premier and Second Minister of Natural Resources and Urban Development, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, was also passed on the same day. Awang Tengah said the amendments were essential in strengthening Sarawak's land management and administration, ensuring it remains efficient, adaptable and aligned with the current best practice and standards for governance. Also passed on May 20 was the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025, tabled by Deputy Premier and State Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. The amendment facilitates an increase in the number of councillors in several local authorities across Sarawak, including the Kuching South City Council (MBKS) and Miri City Council (MCC), as well as three municipal councils namely Sibu Municipal Council (SMC), Padawan Municipal Council (MPP), and Kota Samarahan Municipal Council (MPKS). The number of councillors for each of these councils would be increased to 33 from 30, excluding the mayor and deputy mayor for the city councils; and the chairman and deputy chairman for the municipal councils. Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas tabled the remaining three bills – the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund (Dissolution) Bill 2025, which was passed on May 21, along with the Supplementary Supply (2024) Bill 2025 and Supplementary Supply (2025) Bill 2025, both passed on May 22. The Infrastructure Development Trust Fund (Dissolution) Bill 2025 seeks to dissolve the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund, which has been deemed redundant in view of today's economic landscape. The trust fund, which was set up in 1985, served as a revolving fund consisting of money appropriated from time to time from the State Consolidated Fund into the trust fund for the purpose of building certain basic infrastructure such as roads, water and electricity supplies to any development area. The august House also unanimously passed two Supplementary Supply Bills involving a total of RM391,429,717 for additional expenditures that were not covered in previous allocations. The Supplementary Supply (2024) Bill allocates RM153,769,197 to meet the cost of various services incurred by various ministries and departments for which funds were not provided for or insufficiently provided for in the 2024 estimates. The Supplementary Supply (2025) Bill provides RM237,660,520, including RM100 million required by the Sarawak Premier's Department to cater for rental of air-charter services due to increased activities. On May 22, the DUN also approved a motion to reappoint Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim, 56, as a member of the Dewan Negara for a second term. The motion was proposed by Deputy Premier and Bukit Sari assemblyman, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, and seconded by Deputy Premier and Batu Kawah assemblyman, Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. Ahmad's current term, which began on July 22, 2022, is set to expire on July 21, 2025. His new appointment will take effect the following day. During the sitting, a total of 320 questions, both written and oral, were submitted by 41 honourable members. Meanwhile, Sharifah Hasidah, in her remarks, emphasised the importance of maintaining the dignity and integrity of the DUN as the highest legislative authority in the state. 'All laws passed in this House must be respected, enforceable, and recognised without doubt. Let there be no question about their legitimacy,' she said. Sharifah also spoke of Sarawak's achievements on local, national, and international fronts. Citing the Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, she reiterated the state's ambition to become a high-income economy and Asean's energy powerhouse. She praised Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg's leadership, noting Sarawak's increasing recognition as a hub for green energy and hydrogen innovation on the global stage. On the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), Sharifah reaffirmed Sarawak's unwavering commitment to asserting its constitutional rights. 'We will pursue our rights within the parameters of the law, guided by the Federal Constitution, MA63, the IGC Report, and Sarawak's State Constitution,' she said. Meanwhile, DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar commended the cooperation and decorum demonstrated by assembly members. 'This eight-day sitting proceeded smoothly and with great order, thanks to everyone's dedication in upholding the sanctity of this august House,' he said. adjourned Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak DUN lead
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Sarawak Assembly sitting adjourns sine die; six bills passed
KUCHING: The 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly sitting adjourned sine die today, after eight days of proceedings since May 19, during which six bills were passed with an overwhelming majority. The State Assembly Speaker, Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, announced the adjournment, after a motion to adjourn was tabled by Sarawak Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963, and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali. The Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill 2025, the first bill passed by the assembly, seeks to broaden the Centre's powers by enabling it to commercialise intellectual property, apply for external funding, and form subsidiary companies to bring research outputs to market. This was followed by the Land Code (Amendment) Bill 2025, which, among other provisions, establishes a formal mechanism for the registration of waqf, or religious endowment lands, in the Sarawak land registry. Other bills passed included the Infrastructure Development Trust Fund (Dissolution) Bill, the Local Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Supplementary Supply (2024) Bill approving an additional allocation of RM153,769,197, and the Supplementary Supply (2025) Bill for RM237,660,520.
Barnama
3 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Sarawak Assembly Sitting Adjourns Sine Die; Six Bills Passed
KUCHING, May 28 (Bernama) -- The 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly sitting adjourned sine die today, after eight days of proceedings since May 19, during which six bills were passed with an overwhelming majority. The State Assembly Speaker, Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, announced the adjournment, after a motion to adjourn was tabled by Sarawak Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Law, Malaysia Agreement 1963, and State-Federal Relations), Datuk Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali. The Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (Amendment) Bill 2025, the first bill passed by the assembly, seeks to broaden the Centre's powers by enabling it to commercialise intellectual property, apply for external funding, and form subsidiary companies to bring research outputs to market.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Sarawak plans free trade zone using Jebel Ali model
KUCHING: Sarawak has strong potential to become a regional trade hub through a more intensive implementation of the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) model, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. Uggah who is also Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development said Sarawak can draw lessons from the success of Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates, where the integration of a modern port with a FTZ attracted over 11,000 companies worldwide and now contributes to 36 per cent of Dubai's GDP. He said that in a bid to emulate this success, the Sarawak government is now rolling out the Sarawak Ports Master Plan, a visionary initiative that seeks to transform the state's ports into engines of economic growth, making Sarawak the gateway to Borneo, the wider region and the global market. 'The plan aims to establish a modern, efficient and integrated port system that is internationally competitive and fully aligned with the state's Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. 'The transformation will be driven by four key pillars: Streamlining governance; Modernising and developing port and FTZ infrastructure; Driving economic diversification; and Enhancing regional and global connectivity,' he said during the winding-up session for his ministry at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today. Uggah said the Sarawak Ports Master Plan marks a historic first transformative initiative that positions Sarawak as a key player in global trade and logistics. 'More than just a development blueprint, it is a game changer for Sarawak's economic trajectory, laying the foundation for sustainable growth that goes beyond reliance on natural resources. 'By strengthening our port infrastructure and connectivity, we are creating new opportunities for businesses, empowering local industries, and opening Sarawak to the world,' he added.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Sarawak plans to implement free trade zone, using Jebel Ali as success model
KUCHING: Sarawak has strong potential to become a regional trade hub through a more intensive implementation of the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) model, said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. Uggah who is also Minister for Infrastructure and Port Development said Sarawak can draw lessons from the success of Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates, where the integration of a modern port with a FTZ attracted over 11,000 companies worldwide and now contributes to 36 per cent of Dubai's GDP. He said that in a bid to emulate this success, the Sarawak government is now rolling out the Sarawak Ports Master Plan, a visionary initiative that seeks to transform the state's ports into engines of economic growth, making Sarawak the gateway to Borneo, the wider region and the global market. 'The plan aims to establish a modern, efficient and integrated port system that is internationally competitive and fully aligned with the state's Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030. 'The transformation will be driven by four key pillars: Streamlining governance; Modernising and developing port and FTZ infrastructure; Driving economic diversification; and Enhancing regional and global connectivity,' he said during the winding-up session for his ministry at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today. Uggah said the Sarawak Ports Master Plan marks a historic first transformative initiative that positions Sarawak as a key player in global trade and logistics. 'More than just a development blueprint, it is a game changer for Sarawak's economic trajectory, laying the foundation for sustainable growth that goes beyond reliance on natural resources. 'By strengthening our port infrastructure and connectivity, we are creating new opportunities for businesses, empowering local industries, and opening Sarawak to the world,' he added.
