Latest news with #SupplementarySupplyBill
Borneo Post
6 days ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Former assemblywoman slams dismissal of public scrutiny over S'wak leaders' overseas spending
Chang says more concerning was the Speaker's remarks that the travel costs were a 'pittance' and 'triviality' compared to the investments brought in by these overseas trips. SIBU (May 28): Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Nassar's decision to disallow the question raised by Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong on the breakdown of the Premier and state Cabinet ministers' overseas trips expenses is an outright assault on the principles of transparency and accountability, which are the fundamentals of good governance. In stating this, former Bukit Assek assemblywoman Irene Chang said more concerning was the Speaker's remarks that the travel costs were a 'pittance' and 'triviality' compared to the investments brought in by these overseas trips. 'This rationale is deeply flawed and reflects a dismissive attitude towards public accountability. These overseas trips are public expenditures and funded by taxpayers' money. 'Every sen of these taxpayers' money must be subject to scrutiny, regardless of the amount,' she said in a statement. She also referred to the RM100 million being allocated to the Premier's Department for overseas duties in the latest Supplementary Supply Bill. Chang said the notion that the trips were necessary and the cost incurred did not need to be revealed because they were 'small' or offset by future investments was a dangerous precedent to the unchecked misuse of funds. 'Claims of investment returns do not, and cannot, in any circumstances negate the public's right to know how and why the public funds are being spent. It is therefore totally justified for Yong to request for the expenditures incurred from these overseas trips to be revealed to the public. 'This is to ensure transparency, to prevent misuse, and to protect the public interest. Denying this right not only disrespects and undermines the people's mandate for the elected representative in question but also erodes public trust in our democratic institutions.' Adding on, Chang said the DUN should not allow itself to be reduced to a rubber stamp for executive decisions, and must remain a platform for honest debate, scrutiny and accountability. She added it was the very place where legitimate inquiries, such as the one raised by Yong, are encouraged and not silenced. 'As it is, denying this request for such crucial information could further erode public trust in the current government.' DUN Irene Chang overseas travel expenses
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sibu MP: Fiscal transparency by state govt should be norm, not emergency measure
Oscar Ling. — Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (May 28): The multiple overseas trips by departments of the Sarawak government involving additional allocations and some expenditures far exceeding the original budgets has sparked widespread public concern, said Sibu MP Oscar Ling. In a statement, he said an additional RM100 million had been allocated to the Premier's Department for overseas official duties in the latest Supplementary Supply Bill. He said this not only highlighted issues in financial governance, but also pushed the core issue of fiscal transparency to the forefront of public discourse. 'The public's concern lies not just in the discrepancies in numbers, but more importantly in whether there is a sound system of transparency and accountability behind the spending,' he said. Ling said the costs of overseas official duties by the Sarawak government had long been questioned, but more troubling was the lack of institutional safeguards and oversight in financial governance. 'The core public concern is not the budget adjustments themselves, but whether there exists a robust, transparent and accountable institutional framework. The absence of a transparent financial disclosure mechanism is eroding public trust in the government,' he said. Ling said official overseas visits were not inherently problematic, since international engagement, policy learning and cooperation were indispensable components of modern governance. 'However, the key issue is whether each public expenditure is backed by adequate institutional safeguards to ensure it is reasonable, transparent and accountable. 'When relevant information remains undisclosed and unexplained for long periods, taxpayers are deprived of the basic ability to oversee, and government spending escapes public evaluation. This not only triggers a crisis of trust but may also pose systemic risks.' Adding on, Ling said a lack of fiscal transparency was not just an administrative oversight but reflects a potential tendency toward centralisation of power. Ling warned that the long-term consequences of lacking a transparent system couldn't be ignored. He said budget overruns could become the norm, and resource wastage and repeated allocations may occur frequently. 'In a bureaucratic system lacking a culture of accountability, decision-makers may develop a habitual mindset of making unchecked decisions without follow-up questions. Worse still, a non-transparent fiscal environment can become a breeding ground for corruption and abuse of power, ultimately undermining the foundation of public trust in government.' Ling said achieving fiscal transparency should not be seen as interference in administration or a political hindrance, but rather a fundamental safeguard in a democratic system. In a free and democratic society, he said power derives from the people and every cent of public funds should be subject to public consultation and oversight. 'Promoting fiscal disclosure must become the norm rather than an emergency response in times of crisis. The Sarawak government should proactively disclose the objectives, personnel, detailed expenses and outcome summaries of all overseas visits and accept comprehensive oversight from the media, Parliament and the public. This is not only a demonstration of administrative responsibility but also a practice of democratic culture.' Ling said policies and trips that can withstand the 'sunlight test' need not shy away from public scrutiny and what truly needs to be hidden are those illogical and unproductive expenditures. 'Transparency is the starting point of good governance. Running public finances in the light of day is the most basic form of respect for the people. Only through such practices can public trust be strengthened, the use of public resources realigned and the original intention of 'serving the people' truly realised.' budget financial lead oscar ling overseas trips
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
‘Fiscal transparency by state govt should be norm, not emergency measure'
Oscar Ling. — Photo by Peter Boon SIBU (May 28): The multiple overseas trips by departments of the Sarawak government involving additional allocations and some expenditures far exceeding the original budgets has sparked widespread public concern, said Sibu MP Oscar Ling. In a statement, he said an additional RM100 million had been allocated to the Premier's Department for overseas official duties in the latest Supplementary Supply Bill. He said this not only highlighted issues in financial governance, but also pushed the core issue of fiscal transparency to the forefront of public discourse. 'The public's concern lies not just in the discrepancies in numbers, but more importantly in whether there is a sound system of transparency and accountability behind the spending,' he said. Ling said the costs of overseas official duties by the Sarawak government had long been questioned, but more troubling was the lack of institutional safeguards and oversight in financial governance. 'The core public concern is not the budget adjustments themselves, but whether there exists a robust, transparent and accountable institutional framework. The absence of a transparent financial disclosure mechanism is eroding public trust in the government,' he said. Ling said official overseas visits were not inherently problematic, since international engagement, policy learning and cooperation were indispensable components of modern governance. 'However, the key issue is whether each public expenditure is backed by adequate institutional safeguards to ensure it is reasonable, transparent and accountable. 'When relevant information remains undisclosed and unexplained for long periods, taxpayers are deprived of the basic ability to oversee, and government spending escapes public evaluation. This not only triggers a crisis of trust but may also pose systemic risks.' Adding on, Ling said a lack of fiscal transparency was not just an administrative oversight but reflects a potential tendency toward centralisation of power. Ling warned that the long-term consequences of lacking a transparent system couldn't be ignored. He said budget overruns could become the norm, and resource wastage and repeated allocations may occur frequently. 'In a bureaucratic system lacking a culture of accountability, decision-makers may develop a habitual mindset of making unchecked decisions without follow-up questions. Worse still, a non-transparent fiscal environment can become a breeding ground for corruption and abuse of power, ultimately undermining the foundation of public trust in government.' Ling said achieving fiscal transparency should not be seen as interference in administration or a political hindrance, but rather a fundamental safeguard in a democratic system. In a free and democratic society, he said power derives from the people and every cent of public funds should be subject to public consultation and oversight. 'Promoting fiscal disclosure must become the norm rather than an emergency response in times of crisis. The Sarawak government should proactively disclose the objectives, personnel, detailed expenses and outcome summaries of all overseas visits and accept comprehensive oversight from the media, Parliament and the public. This is not only a demonstration of administrative responsibility but also a practice of democratic culture.' Ling said policies and trips that can withstand the 'sunlight test' need not shy away from public scrutiny and what truly needs to be hidden are those illogical and unproductive expenditures. 'Transparency is the starting point of good governance. Running public finances in the light of day is the most basic form of respect for the people. Only through such practices can public trust be strengthened, the use of public resources realigned and the original intention of 'serving the people' truly realised.' budget financial lead oscar ling overseas trips
Borneo Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Chong demands transparency on S'wak govt's ‘extravagant' overseas trips
Chong shows the letter from the august House that rejected Yong's question. KUCHING (May 23): Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Padungan) has called on the Sarawak government to be transparent by disclosing details of its official overseas trips. During a heated debate at today's Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting, Chong expressed concerns over the Supplementary Supply Bill, which was recently passed with a total allocation of RM237.66 billion. He highlighted that the Premier's Department had requested an additional RM100 million specifically for travel expenses. 'I think spending RM100 million on travelling overseas is extravagant – it is too extravagant,' he said. He also drew attention to a written question by Violet Yong (DAP-Pending), which was ruled out, for asking for a breakdown of official overseas travel expenses incurred by the Premier, ministers, deputy ministers, and state ministries over the past five years. The question was rejected on the grounds that it contravened public policy, Chong explained. 'What contravenes public policy – is it the act of asking the question, or the act of spending too much money to go overseas?' Chong further questioned. 'Don't treat us like three-year-old kids, we are not asking for the itinerary of the Premier. She (Yong) is asking for the information on the expenses for the past five years for overseas trips,' he added. Calling Yong's query a reasonable request, Chong later told a press conference that the Premier's Office should publish such information on its official website. 'The answer that was given by the Deputy Speaker Datuk Idris Buang is totally unacceptable, as he said this was due to security reasons. 'I directly confronted him, brushed aside such explanation so that you don't treat us as three-year-old kids,' he said. Chong Chieng Gen DUN expanditure expenses overseas trips
