BY NURA V LORNA & JACINTHA JOLENE
THE first day (Nov 24) of the third meeting of the fourth session of the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) saw the tabling of the 2026 State Budget and the passing of two Bills.
The Supply (2026) Bill, 2025 was tabled by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg who is also the Minister of Finance and New Economy and seconded by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who is the Second Minister for Finance and New Economy.
The budget outlined an ordinary expenditure of RM12.91 billion against projected revenue of RM13.05 billion, placing Sarawak on track for a RM144 million surplus.
In the afternoon, the august House passed the Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill, 2025 which was tabled by the Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
Minister of Transport Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin seconded the Bill.
The Bill, which proposes expanding the size of the Sarawak Cabinet, was debated by 23 assemblymen, with 21 in support and two against. A total of 74 assemblymen later voted in favour of its passage.
Apart from that, the Building (Amendment) Bill 2025 was also approved after being debated by 12 assemblymen.
It was earlier tabled by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian, who also serves as Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government.
Minister of Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah seconded the Bill.
The sitting adjourned at 9.35 pm and will resume at 9 am tomorrow (Nov 25).
