Type Unicameral | Founded 8 September 1867 | |
 | ||
Speaker Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar, BN–PBBSince 15 November 2000 Deputy Speaker Gerawat Gala, BN–PBBSince 19 May 2016 Chief Minister Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Abang Openg, BN–PBBSince 13 January 2017 | ||
The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (Malay: Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak) is the state legislature of the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is a unicameral institution consisting of 71 members elected from single-member constituencies throughout the state. Elections are held no more than five years apart
Contents
The State Legislative Assembly convenes at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building in the state capital, Kuching.
History
The first legislative assembly in Sarawak was formed during the rule of the White Rajahs. The General Council (Majlis Umum) of the Kingdom of Sarawak was convened on 8 September 1867 by Charles Brooke, the Rajah Muda under the orders of James Brooke, then the Rajah of Sarawak. Its members were chosen from local tribe leaders who were thought to be capable of assisting Brooke in administering the kingdom. The General Council later evolved into the Council Negri in 1903. The Council Negri first met in Bintulu.
It continued to function even after Sarawak was ceded to the British Empire in 1946. Since 1963, when Sarawak joined with Malaya, Singapore and North Borneo (now known as Sabah) to form the Federation of Malaysia, in line with the federal and state constitutions, members of the Assembly have been elected representatives.
The Assembly originally had 48 seats. That expanded to 56 in 1985, to 62 in 1985 and to 71 in 2005. In 2014 the Assembly passed a Bill to take the number of constituencies to 82. It has a greater number of seats than any other state assembly in Malaysia.
Role
The State Assembly enacts laws that apply in the state of Sarawak in matters specified in the Joint and State Lists in the federal Constitution. Legislation successfully passed in the Assembly are known as ordinances. The Assembly must sit at least once a year to approve taxation to and supply from the state's consolidated fund. This is done during the tabling of the budget by the executive Cabinet. Aside from administrative matters, members of the Assembly are free to speak on any issues, as stipulated in the Privileges, Immunities and Powers Ordinance 1963. Members of the Assembly are responsible for checking and criticising the executive government's actions.
The Speaker presides over proceedings in the Assembly. He is appointed by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) on the advice of the Chief Minister. The Speaker can only vote to break a tie.
Speakers Roll of Honour
The following is the Speaker of the Sarawak State Assembly Roll of Honour, since 1963:
Committees
The State Assembly also consists of committees that handle administrative matters. The committees include: