KOTA KINABALU: Sabah's newly elected state assemblymen have been reminded to familiarise themselves with their roles in the assembly to better carry out their duties to the people over the next five years.
State Speaker Datuk Seri Kadzim M Yahya, in congratulating the representatives for the new term, said being elected brings a huge responsibility because the voters have placed their hopes and confidence in them.
"I hope you will learn the roles in this assembly and carry out your duties for the people and the state properly," he told them in his opening speech for the 2026 Sabah Budget debate session on Monday (Dec 15).
He added that it was also their duty to ensure that the state assembly remains respected as an institution.
He urged them to adopt mature and competent debate practices to ensure that the assembly stands as a platform for sharing information and views, and shaping policies for the future of Sabah.
It was also vital for differences in views to be celebrated and discussed based on facts and quality arguments, he added.
The ongoing assembly meeting is scheduled to continue until Wednesday (Dec 17).
On Friday (Dec 12), state Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun tabled a surplus budget with an expenditure of RM6.402bil compared with an estimated revenue of RM6.430bil for next year.
