DAP rep opposes to Ombudsman Select Committee line-up, citing zero representation from opposition

Chong debating the Ombudsman Select Committee motion at Sarawak Legislative Assembly here on May 13, 2026.

By Lian Cheng 

KUCHING, May 13: Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen (PH-DAP) has objected to the composition of the Select Committee under the Sarawak Ombudsman framework on the grounds that opposition members were excluded, while all appointed members were from the ruling coalition, with the exception of an independent assemblyman whom he speculated might soon join the coalition.

Despite his reservations, Chong said he supported the establishment of the Select Committee proposed by Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya (GPS-PBB), who is also the Jemoreng assemblyman, during today’s sitting of the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.

“Mr. Speaker, I do not oppose to the setting up of the Special Select Committee to oversee the performance and report of the Ombudsman, but I oppose to the composition tabled, proposed in the motion today for the mere fact that the opposition arguments were excluded in the composition of this Select Committee,” said Chong while debating the motion.  

Reminding the House that the Legislature serves as a mechanism for overseeing the Executive, which is a fundamental principle of our democracy, he affirmed that the establishment of the Ombudsman is a positive development towards ensuring better administration of the State Government. To him, the Select Committee constitutes an additional layer of supervision and oversight over the Ombudsman’s performance, ensuring that the Ombudsman dutifully and properly carries out his obligations under the Ombudsman Ordinance, 2023.

Chong’s contention, however, was that the Select Committee’s composition comprises solely members from the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition, with the exception of Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, an independent, who Chong speculated would soon join GPS, citing the latter’s apparent support for the GPS government.

“…looking at the composition of this Select Committee proposed herein, all the members, except one, are from GPS. The one not from GPS and won as a local opposition party (candidate), but now an independent, and soon, maybe, will join the GPS. All this while, he has been seen to be friendly and supportive of whatever that GPS Government has put forward. 

“As such, this Select Committee that is proposed, is at best a window dressing,” said Chong.

In the circumstances where all members in Ombusman Select Committee are pro government, Chong raised the doubt if these members would go against their political superiors should there be a discrepancy. 

“Therefore, it defeats the whole purpose of this special select committee. Mr Speaker, before I end, there are only two of us (from the opposition of DAP). Two of us here.

“There are six members here (in Ombudsman Select Committee). Out of the six, include one (DAP). Is that too much to ask (of)? Therefore, on that ground, this (the Ombudsman Select Committee without opposition) is just window dressing, it’s superficial, and it defeats the whole purpose of oversight duty of the select committee, of this house, I object to this, the constitution of the members of the select committee.  —DayakDaily