Update Meeting Rules To Cover Social Media Considerations - Sarawak Speaker

KUCHING, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- The rules governing meetings in the Dewan Negara, Dewan Rakyat and State Legislative Assemblies need to be updated, to be more comprehensive and to include elements related to social media, said Sarawak State Assembly speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.

He said recent social media posts by assembly members criticising the speaker’s decisions are not currently addressed in existing rules.

“Social media posts by YBs (Honorable Members) that criticise Parliament, the speaker, or undermine the speaker’s rulings are not covered by the current rules in Parliament or the state assemblies.

bootstrap slideshow

“This is a new phenomenon and we need to discuss it with all speakers and gather their input to strengthen parliamentary democracy,” he told a press conference on the Conference of Speakers of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies of Malaysia 2024 at the State Legislative Assembly Building here today.

He said issues concerning legislative institutions will be a central focus at the upcoming conference, which is scheduled for this Thursday and Friday at a hotel in Kuching.

“We need to understand how Parliament and the state assemblies can address the challenges and unexpected developments brought about by the rise of social media.

bootstrap slideshow

“Through this conference, we hope to raise the standards of parliamentary democracy further, as we do not want the assembly meetings to become chaotic,” he added.

The conference aims to strengthen the role of these legislative institutions and will bring together 43 delegates, including the speakers and deputy speakers of the Dewan Negara, Dewan Rakyat and State Legislative Assemblies from across Malaysia, along with their respective secretaries.

The event will be officiated by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on Friday at the  Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building Banquet Hall.

-- BERNAMA