KUCHING, Oct 13: Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen questioned why Hansard records remained inaccessible to the public after his attempt to raise the issue during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) debate on preserving the State’s history was cut short today.
He questioned why Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar was being secretive about the records, which document proceedings and statements made in the assembly over its 159-year history.
“Why are you so secretive about disclosing the Hansard? What secrets are you trying to keep within the Speaker’s office?” he asked during a press conference at the DUS complex today.
Chong said the records should form part of the proposed memorial archive being discussed during the debate on the Sarawak State Library (Amendment) Bill 2026, allowing the public to access historical accounts of lawmaking, government policies and key decisions.
