DUN Sarawak: Right to speak must include responsibility

KUCHING, Oct 15: Member of the National Assembly (ADUN) Meluan, Rolland Duat Jubin expresses support for the proposal to suspend ADUN Padungan, Chong Chieng Jen.

He said it is important to preserve the discipline, dignity and integrity of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN).

He said that every representative of the people has the right to question, reprimand and criticize the government, but that freedom must be accompanied by a responsibility to ensure that any statements made are based on facts and evidence.

"However, that right comes with a great responsibility. We cannot assume that every accusation made on behalf of the public interest is automatically true.

"The charges are not evidence. Perception is not fact. And repeating an accusation many times does not make the allegations a fact", he said in a motions debate brought by Sarawak Transport Minister, Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin at the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Conference today.

The proposal was to suspend Chong from attending the conference.

According to Rolland, the motion should be taken seriously as it raises allegations of violations of several rules of assembly, including use of unverifiable information, abusive language and accusations of improper motivation against other members of the council.

However, he said that any action should be taken based on research into actual records, fair consideration and a demonstrable level of seriousness of violations.

"The council also has a responsibility to investigate the actual records, provide fair consideration and ensure that any action is consistent with proven violations", he said.

He said that adherence to the rules of assembly is essential for defending the rights of all ADUN whether from the government or the opposition.

Meanwhile, Rolland also reminded that political differences should not affect the harmony of multi-racial society in Sarawak.

He said government policies including those aiming to expand economic participation of Bumiputera contractors should be assessed on the basis of objectives, methods of implementation and benefits to the state economy as a whole.

According to Rolland, differences of opinion on economic policy should be discussed openly and factually, without making them a source of racial division.

"Sarawak's politics have always been built on the spirit of understanding, tolerance and mutual respect.

"The power of Sarawak is not because we all have the same views. Sarawak's strength is that we are able to have different views without making those differences an excuse for hostility", he explained.