THE road to progress starts with good governance. Governance makes or breaks a state, and for Sarawak to move forward, it needs the right building blocks so its people will prosper.
With more resources coming into Sarawak and even more devolution of powers, it is even more pertinent that a greater check and balance is in place so that it does not just enrich the elites and cronies but goes down to the people who need them.
The process of rebuilding Sarawak requires the voices of the many, not the few. Democracy is about people’s participation, good governance, and greater checks and balances.
Reforms should start with the highest legislative body of the state. The Sarawak State Assembly (DUN) should not be a rubber stamp of any government formed once this election is over.
The current state government arrangement by Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) lacks checks and balances and shortchanges Sarawakians, concentrating power in the hands of the few – namely the Chief Minister and his fellow Cabinet members.
That is why it is in urgent need of reforms to ensure all voices are properly represented and there is greater accountability.
The people of Sarawak deserve a stronger democracy. An iron fist rule and the perpetuation use of developmental politics as a threat against the people, where resources are only allocated to government-friendly lawmakers, should be a thing of the past.
With the dishing out mega projects costing hundreds of million and even billions of ringgit run a risk of wastage and possible corruption if they do not implement the necessary checks and balances to ensure the people’s needs are truly met. With greater resources, come greater need for accountability and check and balance
That foundation has to start at the Sarawak state assembly, and it should not provide a blank cheque to the government.
The system must be changed. It is our mission to fight for that change and lay strong foundations of good governance for future Sarawak.
After decades in power, it is not hard to believe that the GPS would rather keep matters of governing exclusive and deny Sarawakians including the Opposition opportunity to participate in the process, whereas we are fighting to open up the administration, ensuring more say to the people. A stronger voice for the people.
Equal allocation, increasing sitting time
These are all the key ingredients to propel Sarawak forward.
Here are the reforms we will be advocating for to benefit Sarawakians:
- Extend state assembly sitting days – Currently, the Sarawak state assembly is only convened twice a year with each lasting approximately 10 days. This is insufficient to cover the breadth of issues concerning Sarawakians. More sitting days should be added.
- Chief Minister’s Answering Time – Where the CM himself will come into the Dewan to answer directly from the floor questions and comments by each lawmaker from both divides.
- Special chamber – Establish a second chamber that runs concurrently with the main chamber to discuss matters relating to constituencies. This allows debates on policies to be conducted while also giving airtime to constituency concerns.
- Sarawak Public Accounts Committee – To ensure Sarawak PAC is chaired by an Opposition representative to ensure proper checks and balances.
- Establish Select Committees – These multi-partisan select committees must be established and given enough resources and manpower to operate as entities to check and balance respective ministries. These committees should be equally chaired by government and opposition elected representatives to allow better transparency and accountability.
- Livestream proceedings – All proceedings (main chamber, special chamber, and select committees) should be broadcasted live and be accessible to the public on Sarawak DUN website.
- Equal allocation to all constituencies – Regardless if an elected representative is from the Government or Opposition, they should receive the same amount of allocation as no Sarawakians should be left behind.
Last but not least, it is about time Sarawak introduces its own version of an anti-hopping law. The people have become increasingly jaded with the political process as politicians betray the mandate given by the people. It is time to restore their faith in the process and introduce the necessary reforms.
Sarawak’s future is closely tied to how it is governed. Good governance and stronger check and balance will ensure the voice of Sarawakians continue to be upheld.
For a government to be of the people, by the people, for the people, its supreme legislative branch must be reformed to ensure greater transparency and accountability. – Dec 9, 2021.
Kelvin Yii is the DAP candidate for the Batu Kawah state seat.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
