Sarawak speaker mulls rules to tackle criticism on social media

 

Sarawak assembly speaker Asfia Awang Nassar said he will present a working paper at a conference of legislative speakers this week. (Wikipedia pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Standing Orders of the Sarawak state assembly are to be amended to deal with social media and online challenges, including comments undermining legislative rulings.

State assembly speaker Asfia Awang Nassar said the amendment is aimed at online criticism of legislative bodies and their rulings which are not yet covered in the Standing Orders.

He added that it was not about controlling the social media posts of elected representatives, the Dayak Daily reported.

When a speaker makes a ruling and social media comments follow, neither the state nor the federal Standing Orders can currently manage this,

 he said at a press conference in Petra Jaya, Kuching, today.

He said he will present a working paper to amend the Standing Orders at a conference of legislative speakers due to take place in Kuching on Sept 12-13.

We need to discuss (the matter) with the (other) speakers and listen to their opinions; all for the betterment of parliamentary democracy,

 he said. - FMT