KOTA KINABALU: Sabah state assemblymen have been reminded not to politicise the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's policy speech as the Sabah legislative assembly reconvenes for its fifth sitting of the 16th term on Thursday (April 10).
Sabah assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M. Yahya (pic) emphasised that the reminder applied to both government backbenchers and the Opposition, stating that only matters raised in the speech should be debated.
"As we’re still in the middle of Syawal, I hope the debates this time will be calm and focused on meaningful and constructive issues — only those touched on by the TYT (Tun Musa Aman)," he said when met at his office on Thursday (April 10).
"Technically, assemblymen can only debate what the TYT raised in his policy speech. There’s no point bringing up unrelated matters, especially if they weren’t mentioned by him.
"So I hope no one will bring up unsuitable or irrelevant issues, or use the TYT’s speech as a platform to prepare for elections — that applies to both sides of the House," he added.
Kadzim also dismissed claims that the upcoming sitting would be "heated" or that it would be the last for this term.
"Whether it’s the last or not, I don’t know. I thought the Budget session was the final one, but now we have this official opening," he said.
"As for it being heated, I wouldn’t call it that. It’s more about passion — nothing that crosses the line."
On preparations for the opening ceremony, Kadzim said the two-day rehearsal earlier this week went smoothly, and he is confident the proceedings will go as planned.
"There were no changes from previous years. The only difference is that this will be the first opening presided over by Tun Musa as the new TYT, so we’ve taken extra care to ensure nothing is overlooked," he said.
The opening will be followed by a Hari Raya Aidilfitri reception.
"We expect around 500 people to attend the opening in the chamber, and about 1,500 to attend the Hari Raya gathering, which includes invited foreign consuls and representatives."
The assembly will sit for four days next week, starting with debates and ending with the tabling of four bills.
Kadzim said three of them are amendments involving land, forestry, and housing laws, while the fourth — a new bill — concerns elephant protection.
