DUN Speaker dismisses question on Premier, Cabinet's travel expenses

Borneo Post

26-05-2025

Mohamad Asfia stated that the costs involved were merely a 'pittance' and 'trivial' compared to the billions in foreign investments the state has successfully attracted. – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (May 26): State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar has dismissed a question concerning the overseas travel expenses of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and his Cabinet ministers.
In delivering his ruling, Mohamad Asfia stated that the costs involved were merely a 'pittance' and 'trivial' compared to the billions in foreign investments the state has successfully attracted.
In his proclamation, the Speaker cited Standing Orders 20(3), 20(4), and 20(6) to disallow the question submitted by Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong, as well as earlier remarks raised by Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen.
He ruled that the question was not admissible as it had either been previously declined, was prejudicial to the proceedings of the Dewan, or was deemed against public interests.
He defended the necessity of official overseas travel by state leaders, arguing that the expenditure was justified by the outcomes achieved.
'The few millions you spend on travelling become pittance and trivial compared with the billions, multi-billions that Sarawak achieved,' he said.
Mohamad Asfia further stressed that international engagements such as inspecting aircraft in France or infrastructure in Qatar could not be conducted online.
'If you do this transaction by email or online or Facebook, it will be catastrophic. The loses to Sarawak will be in billions,' he stated.
He argued that overseas engagements were crucial to Sarawak's rapid development and investment inflow, highlighting that the state's revenue had increased from RM10.6 billion in 2020 to RM14.18 billion in 2024.
'Investment from overseas and foreign investments like Niagara Falls poured into Sarawak … RM54.35 billion. This is unprecedented in the entire history of Sarawak or any state in the nation,' he said.
He also justified such expenditures by offering hypothetical scenarios saying those wanting to purchase an Airbus aeroplane would have to travel to France to verify the aircraft.
'You do not go alone. You cannot use email and online for this airport and seaport or the purchase of the latest aircraft from France,' he stressed.
Warning against attempts to question the state's development strategies, Mohamad Asfia said such scrutiny could 'impede and jeopardise Sarawak's economic miracle and expansionist programme'.
'You do not question and impede Sarawak progress, economic miracle, and so forth. Question is disallowed,' he reiterated.
Yong's question requesting a breakdown of overseas travel expenses incurred over the past five years was rejected on the first day of the DUN Sitting on May 19.
Subsequently, during a press conference on May 23, Chong had criticised the decision to reject Yong's question. lead Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar overseas travel expenses