Sarawak to table two landmark Bills in coming DUN sitting

KUCHING (Nov 18): The tabling of the Sarawak Ombudsman Bill 2023 and the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Bill 2023 at the Sarawak legislative assembly (DUN) sitting next week is an important milestone for the state in its effort towards achieving a developed state by 2030.

In saying this, DUN Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said Sarawak will not only be seen as the pioneer, but also as the first state that implements progressive policy to address maladministration practice in public service.

He said the Sarawak Ombudsman Bill 2023 will be the legacy of the state government in upholding transparency and accountability as complaints will go directly to the DUN.

“For example, someone is arrested and ordered to wear an orange uniform, but later, he is not charged in court. This will give the public perception that the person is guilty of corruption.

“However, under the Ombudsman Ordinance, you must bring the complaint to the State Assembly.

“If it is serious, under Section 41 of the ordinance, then we can refer to the public prosecution,” he said, adding that the ordinance also allows penalties.

Asfia said the setting up of the ombudsman practice in the state would be different from the Public Account Committee or any other anti-corruption agency.

According to him, the Bill, which is based on the Swedish model, provides provisions that will ensure complaints against individuals will not be used for personal interest.

“It cannot be weaponised by the chief executive officer for personal purposes,” he added.

He also noted that the Ombudsman Ordinance will serve as an impetus in ensuring compliance with the circulars or public complaint management regulations that are being enforced.

“With the ombudsman, 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, reiterating the Ombudsman Ordinance would enable the public to voice out their grievances on misconduct in the public service.

On the Environment (Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Bill 2023, Asfia said its tabling would enable the state to embark on carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), and carbon trading economy.

He said the Bill will not only allow Sarawak to generate revenue but also as one of the contributors that mitigate climate change.

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

“The captured carbon dioxide will be stored in the state’s continental shelf. Sarawak is very suitable because it is one of the four places in the world deemed as safe from volcanoes.

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