By Joseph Tawie
June 17, 2011 | Free Malaysia Today
KUCHING: The 16 elected representives forming Sarawak’s opposition front will not have much room to manoeuvre themselves in the inaugural 10th State Legislative Assembly sitting begining Monday given the warnings issued by Barian Nasional leaders in recent days.
One can only assume that despite public declarations of ‘confidence’, the ruling coalition is somewhat rattled by the heavy presence of the artilery-filled opposition in the August house.
During the last sitting more than half of opposition assemblymen were suspended for ‘minor’ mistakes committed during the debates.
The newest reminders to ‘behave’ came from Second Finance Minister Wong Soon Koh and Assistant Minister Daud Abdul Rahman.
Daud, who is attached to the Chief Minister’s Department, warned that all opposition reps who failed to observe and comply with the standing orders in the house will face the consequences.
“They must understand the etiquette and standing orders of the Dewan.
“If they refuse to abide by the standing orders we will take action,” Daud, who is also Tupong assemblyman, warned.
He also urged BN elected representatives to behave in view of the increased number of opposition members in the assembly.
Wong, meanwhile said, BN reps will observe and comply with the standing orders.
“All elected representatives must strictly follow the standing orders.
“We from the Barisan will definitely observe and comply with the standing orders, we won’t abuse it.
“But if they (the opposition) choose not to, we will have our way to deal with them,” he said.
Main targets
Wong said he and another Sarawak United People’s Party’s elected representative, Lee Kim Shim, are expecting to be the primary targets of the opposition.
“It will not be a problem. We know how to deal with them.
“We have 55, and they have 16 (including one independent). How can you say they are strong?” he asked.
In the last Dewan, the opposition which had eight state elected representatives had caused ‘havoc’ in the assembly. More than half of them were suspended for ‘minor mistakes’.
Watching and monitoring them closely at that time was none other than Wong himself, who on various occasions had proposed actions be taken against the opposition reps.
The opposition at that time accused him of trying to stifle the voice of the people.