FIRST REPORT OF SARAWAK OMBUDSMAN TO BE TABLED IN STATE ASSEMBLY NEXT YEAR

KUCHING, Nov 8 (Bernama) -- Sarawak Ombudsman is expected to present its first report in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly next year.

Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Dr Juanda Jaya said the Ombudsman Ordinance came into effect in April and the Sarawak Chief Ombudsman was appointed in June.

"Currently we are managing administrative, staffing and operational matters. So we will report activities and cases handled by the Ombudsman at the Sarawak State Assembly from next year. 

"So at the upcoming state assembly session (November) there will not be any report from Ombudsman," he told reporters after attending the 'Corruption and Legal Liability Workshop for State Assemblymen’ here today.

On Nov 20 last year, the Sarawak State Assembly passed the Sarawak Ombudsman Bill 2023, which will allow the public to report maladministration by the state's public service agencies.

The Bill tabled by Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan was unanimously passed.

In his winding up speech, Awang Tengah said the report of Ombudsman's activities and investigation will be published in full at the state assembly, including any findings, recommendations and opinions of the ombudsman.

"A Special Select Committee can be appointed on a motion made under the assembly’s Standing Orders to consider any matter arising from the report. Unlike the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), reports made by the Ombudsman have legal authority," he said.

He said the state's government-linked companies (GLCs) are also subject to investigations and scrutiny by the Ombudsman.

-- BERNAMA