KUCHING: Sarawak Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah will table a ministerial motion to amend the Standing Orders of the Sarawak legislative assembly in the upcoming sitting which starts on Monday (Nov 11).
Speaker Tan Sri Asfia Awang Nassar said the Standing Orders are outdated and insufficient to address the current challenges.
"The amendments, among others, will seek to require any state lawmaker to provide the sources of their information or allegations, saying that they cannot quote social media platforms or newspapers or online news portal as their sources of information.
"There must be veracity or truth to the information and allegations made," he told reporters after the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GOS) pre-council meeting here.
He said he would leave it to the minister to disclose the penalties against assemblymen who make unsubstantiated statements or allegations.
He said one of the amendments will also seek to define social media.
"The amendments have to be made so that you cannot make any allegation or statement by quoting what is being published in social media, newspapers and online news portals," he said.
He said any statement or allegation made by the lawmakers in the state assembly sitting must be the truth and what is the source.
Asfia said the Standing Orders were last amended in 2011.
He said they would continue to be reviewed in future as "it is a living thing and when there are new developments."
Meanwhile, Sarawak Utility and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi will table a bill to amend the Distribution of Gas Ordinance in preparation for the state transitioning into a green economy.
Asfia said the bill is aimed at fulfilling the state's commitment to attain net-zero carbon emission by 2050, he said.
He said hydrogen is regarded as a clean energy for transportation and industrial application and usage, saying that the state government has promoted the production of hydrogen and is seeking foreign collaboration and investment in hydrogen generation projects in the state.