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4 bills to be tabled next week in Sarawak assembly

KUCHING: Speaker Tan Sri Asfia Awang Nassar said today that four bills will be tabled at the state assembly, which will begin sitting from Monday until Nov 20.

They are the supply (2025), supplementary supply (2024), distribution of gas (amendment) (2024) and natural resources and environment (NRE) bills.

"Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, who is also the state finance and new economy minister, will table the supply (2025) bill or the 2025 state budget on the first day of sitting," Asfia told reporters after the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) pre-council meeting today.

The meeting was chaired by Abang Johari, who is GPS chairman, at the PBB headquarters in Jalan Bako here.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah, who is also the second finance and new economy minister, will table the supplementary supply (2024) bill, whereas Utility and Telecommunications Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi will table the distribution of gas (amendment) bill.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan will table the NRE bill (2024).

Asfia said the NRE bill was new and would seek to replace the current Natural Resources and Environment Ordinance.

He said the new NRE bill was necessary as the Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) would be taking over from the Department of Environment as the main authority to regulate activities regarded as waste from Jan 1.

He said the NREB, among others, would implement the rules relating to the management of metal and metal-bearing wastes, such as batteries and electrical items like air-conditioner units.

He added that environment and waste were currently matters under federal jurisdiction. However, with the passing of the new NRE law, these two matters would come under the state's control.

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