Assembly to make stand on use of English
Published on: Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: THE Assembly will make a stand on the use of English or Bahasa Malaysia in the House following comments from some members during its sitting which began on Monday.Newly-appointed Speaker Datuk Syed Abas Syed Ali said such matter would be looked into for discussion and members of the House would be informed of any changes.Tamparuli Assemblyman Datuk Wilfred Bumburing mentioned how the Sarawak Government allowed the use of English in official government correspondence and that the State Assembly here should emulate the move.
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He said allowing the use of English in the house proceedings would do away with "Dengan Izin" which members keep using each time they use 'English words in their debate speeches or pointing out their arguments. At this junction, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Yahya Hussin interjected and described discussion of such matter was just semantic and there was no need to blow the issue out of proportion."According to the Standing Order of 42A, the members are allowed to use either English or Bahasa Malaysia in the proceedings in the State Assembly."So what is the fuss? I think the use of 'Dengan Izin' is just a matter of style," he said.
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Subsequently, Bumburing called on the Speaker to make a ruling or stand on the matter which in the case of Sabah and Sarawak, there was no need for the assembly members to use the word 'Dengan Izin' each time they wish to speak in English or use certain English words in their speeches.State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun said there is no need for discretion as the members just follow and comply with the Standing Order that allows them to use either English or Bahasa Malaysia in the proceedings.
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Special Tasks Minister Datuk Teo Chee Kang also stood up and commented that the content of the standing order is very clear and he believed that there is no need for the State Assembly to convene in a meeting to look into the matter.Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan told reporters that in the first place, the issue of using either English or Bahasa Malaysia in the State Assembly proceedings should not be raised at all."In fact, the issue should not be brought up in the House because it is a non-issue as members are allowed to use either English or Bahasa Malaysia as stipulated in the Standing Order."We have been speaking in English in the House here as the Standing Order allows it. There is no problem as we did have like Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai and even Jimmy Wong who did use English when debating the State Budget or pointing out their arguments."Actually no need to say 'Dengan Izin' when choosing to use English as it is a just polite expression to inform the House," he said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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