Chieng debating on Sarawak Ombudsman Bill 2023 in the DUN sitting on Nov 20, 2023. Screenshot taken from a Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) Facebook livestream.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Nov 20: Sarawak passing the ombudsman bill will make Malaysia the fourth country within the Asean region to adopt an ombudsman system.

In stating this, Bukit Assek assemblyman Joseph Chieng Jin Ek said there are only three Asean countries with such institutions, namely the Philippines (1987), Indonesia (2000) and Thailand (2000).

“It is important to note that although not all Asean countries have ombudsman institutions, many have set up alternative mechanisms to handle complaints and uphold human rights and accountability.

“These mechanisms may be known by different names or take different forms, but they all serve the same purpose of providing citizens with a means of redress and ensuring the government’s accountability.

“Therefore, I am confident that the establishment of the Sarawak Ombudsman (law) will propel Malaysia forward, making it the fourth country within Asean to adopt an ombudsman system,” he said when debating on Sarawak Ombudsman Bill, 2023 during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.

Chieng further said that Sarawak’s ombudsman system would indirectly contribute to the improvement of the economy by reducing corruption, improving public service delivery, protecting business and consumer rights, and promoting transparency and accountability. — DayakDaily