KUCHING: The Sarawak Legislative Assembly did some housekeeping by amending five of its standing orders to ostensibly keep in check the conduct of assemblymen inside and outside the legislature in the age of social media.
However, DAP's Pending assemblyman Violet Yong rejected the amendments saying it was to gag the opposition, though its Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen wanted a little tweak to get his support.
Following the party line, however, the majority of the 82-member assembly voted to amend Standing Orders 20, 32(10), 40(3); 86 and 90 that was moved by Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Karim said there was a need to update the Standing Orders to address "new developments and challenges that have arisen, which are not adequately covered by the Standing Orders of Parliament and state legislatures in Malaysia".
He said the amendments are also aimed at improving the governance of proceedings in the assembly by ensuring that allegations made in the assembly are substantiated and verified.
Karim said the amendments were necessary to address the misuse of social media and press conferences, "which have seen members making vitriolic and insidious comments ridiculing and scorning the rulings of the Speaker".
In amending Standing Order 20, a new sub paragraph is added where an assemblyman would be asked "to verify statements, allegations or comments in newspapers, online portals, social media or any online platforms or of private individuals or bodies, are accurate or truthful".
Two new paragraphs were added in the amendment to Standing Order 86 where "no member may, whether within or outside the Dewan (assembly), by conduct, action or words, ridicule, dispute, show contempt for or deliberately refuse to obey such ruling of the chair" and "any member who is in breach of (the above) paragraph 2 may be named by the Chair and the provisions of Standing 40 (4) shall apply to him".
Karim said the assembly was the highest legislative body of the state.
"Proceedings of this House should be conducted with dignity, solemnity and decorum. What is said (here) and reported outside could influence the unity and harmony of the multi-ethnic community in the state.
"Therefore, it is important that all deliberations and decisions of this House be honoured and respected. Misrepresentation of anything that is said or transpired here either to the press or to the general public must be avoided."