KUCHING: The Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) passed a motion on the appointment of members of the Ombudsman Special Select Committee during the 19th Sarawak DUN sitting on Wednesday.

The motion was approved after receiving majority support from Assemblymen and was also debated by five Assemblymen.

Earlier, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya tabled the motion and named six Assemblymen as members of the committee.

They comprise Lingga Assemblywoman Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor as Chairperson, alongside Committee Members Batu Lintang Assemblyman See Chee How, Kota Sentosa Assemblyman Wilfred Yap Yau Sin, Tebedu Assemblyman Dr Simon Sinang Bada, Ngemah Assemblyman Anyi Jana and Tellian Assemblyman Royston Valentine.

Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference, Datuk Dr Juanda said under Section 42(3) of the Sarawak Ombudsman Ordinance 2023, a Special Select Committee may be appointed through a motion made under the Standing Orders of the DUN to consider matters related to reports raised in the August House.

He said the committee was established to ensure all reports, recommendations and observations contained in Ombudsman reports are complied with and acted upon by the government.

“Any findings arising from reports and public complaints assessed by the Ombudsman, and where there are grounds for recommendations, reprimands or improvements to be proposed to the government, will be reviewed by this special committee to ensure appropriate action has been taken,” he said.

He added that the move demonstrates that Sarawak is now progressing on par with developed nations in ensuring issues of maladministration and abuse of power are addressed and corrected through a more transparent system of checks and balances.

Datuk Dr Juanda also explained that Ombudsman reports will be tabled in the Sarawak DUN and may be debated by Assemblymen as a manifestation of transparency and accountability at the highest level.

“At present, our ordinance stipulates that the jurisdiction of maladministration to be reviewed by the Ombudsman covers state government agencies, local authorities, state statutory bodies, state-owned enterprises as well as any parties receiving remuneration or salaries from the state government,” he said. -UKASnews

Prepared by: Ahmad Daniel Faiz
Photo: Muhammad Rais Sanusi & Ibanez Jeffery
Translator: Uilson Ng