Call to extend legislative sessions

THE Sarawak Legislative Assembly should seriously consider the call by backbenchers to extend its sitting days.

At present, the state legislature meets twice a year, generally in May and November, with each session lasting eight days.

One hour is typically set aside on four days for oral answers by ministers or deputy ministers responding to questions submitted by assemblymen.

Three days are set aside for backbenchers to debate the motion of thanks to the head of state for his opening address or the state budget, while the ministers’ replies to issues raised during the debate take place on the last three days.

Bills are generally tabled and passed in the first few days, with the exception of the state budget, which is tabled on the first day and passed on the final day of the budget session.

After the latest session concluded last month, Machan assemblyman Allan Siden Gramong called for the number of sitting days to be extended.

Backbenchers attending the Sarawak state assembly sitting want their views heard. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

He said the assemblymen needed more time to thoroughly discuss important matters, particularly those affecting their constituencies.

“Sometimes, we barely have enough time to address key issues,” he said.

“It’s difficult when we are pressed for time and I feel for my fellow backbenchers who often have to rush their contributions.”

He also noted the time constraints of the daily one-hour question time for oral reply.

In response, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said the state government would consider extending the duration of legislative sessions.

He said he would leave it to Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar to look into the matter.

The need for more sitting days was also raised during the session itself by Meradong assemblyman Datuk Ding Kuong Hii.

While debating the state budget on the fourth day, he pointed out that none of the 10 questions he had submitted had come up for reply.

“If it is possible, maybe we can extend the sitting for another two days so that question time can be extended for another hour,” he said.

This is not an unreasonable request.

The Sarawak Legislative Assembly is currently the largest with 82 members.

With 11 ministers and 26 deputy ministers in the state Cabinet, that leaves 45 backbenchers who are entitled to submit 10 questions each for oral reply.

On average, about 10 questions are answered during the daily question time. Once the allotted hour is up, all remaining questions on the order paper will lapse.

This means the majority of questions for oral reply are not answered due to insufficient time.

Local civil society organisation Rise of Social Efforts (ROSE) noted that during last month’s session, only 41 out of 350 questions submitted for oral reply were answered.

It is high time for the sitting to be extended so that more time can be allotted for oral reply and fewer questions will lapse.

This will help assemblymen to serve their constituents better by getting answers to local issues, besides keeping the public informed on government policies, development plans and ongoing project implementation.

More time is also needed for Bills and issues to be debated in depth. As Allan pointed out, backbenchers often have to rush through their speeches due to time constraint.

Longer legislative sessions would allow backbenchers to deliberate at length on Bills, considering their details and implications, before passing them.

Backbenchers would also be able to bring up issues of concern to their constituencies more comprehensively.

As ROSE pointed out, this would ultimately mean that the needs and aspirations of the people could be addressed.

Since the Sarawak Legislative Assembly has grown to 82 members, it is timely and fitting for its sessions to be extended to reflect its size and enable lawmakers to play their role effectively in serving the best interests of the people and state.