A RULING party assemblyman wants the Sarawak constitution amended to allow elected representatives without ministerial positions to chair state government agencies and statutory bodies.

Dudong representative Tiong King Sing said this would allow the agencies to be run more effectively as the chairmen would understand the people’s problems on the ground.

It would also remove burdensome red tape that has made many state agencies inefficient, he said in the Sarawak legislative assembly today.

Currently, the state constitution only allows cabinet ministers and deputy ministers to chair agencies and statutory bodies with no chance of delegating responsibilities to assemblymen.

“Ministers, deputy ministers and secretaries-general (permanent secretaries) should be more focused on planning and policies,” said Tiong, who is also Bintulu MP and president of Progressive Democratic Party (PDP).

The amendment can be part of a revamp to remove “excessive bureaucracy” that is making state agencies inefficient, he added.

Tiong said it is only when elected representatives become chairmen of the agencies and statutory bodies would they be able to understand the real issues and apply a hands-on approach.

As an example, he said the state’s Public Works Department and power company Sarawak Energy Bhd had excessive bureaucracy that made the people frustrated with services rendered.

“It’s causing public confusion and a lot of inconvenience (with) the public having no idea who and where to turn to with their concerns and problems.” – May 20, 2022.