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ATTEMPTS by DAP’s Padungan state assemblyman Chong Chien Jen to seek details of alleged excessive overseas trips by a state ministry was rejected in the State Assembly today.
Chong, who is Sarawak DAP chairman, had queried why the State Public Health, Housing and Local Government Ministry keeps on seeking additional funding from the state coffers for overseas trips.
"This year alone, that ministry had sought an additional RM 3.8 million for overseas trips.
"The rakyat deserves to know the exact details of these overseas trips.
"Details like who was in the ministry delegation, where they went, who they met, for what purpose and how these overseas trips benefit the ordinary Sarawakians. The rakyat deserves some good explanation," he said.
Chong said these trips included one supposedly to London and another to Washington.
"What are the benefits to Sarawak from these trips by this ministry delegation? he asked.
He posed these questions when Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah presented a bill to seek supplementary expenditures.
Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar refused to approve the question by Chong to the ministry.
The Speaker ruled that the minister concerned need not reply under the Standing Orders as the details of these trips are directly under the purview of the State Cabinet. - November 15, 2024