Sarawak’s proposed laws on ombudsman, greenhouse gas emissions first in Malaysia

Asfia (centre) speaks while Idris (left) and Pele look on during a press conference at PBB headquarters in Kuching on Nov 18, 2023.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Nov 18: Sarawak’s proposed new laws on ombudsman and greenhouse gas emissions are the first in Malaysia, paving the way for other States to follow.

State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, in stating this, was referring to the Sarawak Ombudsman Bill 2023 and Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Bill 2023, which will be tabled in the DUN sitting next week.

He noted that the ombudsman system, which is based on the Swedish model, would be different from the Public Accounts Committee, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), and other acts or laws in Malaysia because whatever complaints lodged to it, the ombudsman would investigate and report directly to DUN.

“With the ombudsman (law), the more transparent you are, the more investments will come in. If you are transparent where you have a system, people will have confidence in you.

“They will invest in Sarawak, and the country will be stable because whatever complaints are lodged is reported directly to the State legislation,” he said at a press conference held at Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) headquarters today.

At the same time, Asfia stated that the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Bill 2023 would allow Sarawak to embark on carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) and carbon trading to reduce gas emission in light of the climate change problem.

“So, the greenhouse (law) is also the first of its kind in Malaysia. From there, we can earn revenue and help clean the world.

“Thus, Sarawak will be at the forefront in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” he added.

Also present at the press conference were Deputy Speaker Dato Idris Buang and DUN secretary Pele Peter Tinggom. — DayakDaily