{
  "id": 14982435,
  "title": "Don’t be both MP and assemblyman, says Sarawak speaker",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/dont-be-both-mp-and-assemblyman-says-sarawak-speaker-14982435",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-16T14:43:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/16/don-t-be-both-mp-and-assemblyman-says-sarawak-speaker"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pending Sarawak assemblyman Violet Yong from the DAP criticized Sarawak state assembly speaker Asfia Awang Nassar after Chong Chieng Jen was suspended. Yong argued that it was unfair for Asfia to say Chong chose not to attend a sitting. Asfia responded that the procedure required written exemption through the secretary, but Chong had attacked her on Facebook over Hansard. Yong insisted Asfia should be more polite and fair to the opposition, while Asfia said she did not want to be both an MP and assemblyman if she didn't have time. Chong, who is also the Sarawak DAP chief, was suspended from the state assembly for the remainder of the session after being accused of misleading the assembly about the 2027 budget document and improper behavior during its debate.",
  "summary": "In a row over opposition leader Chong Chieng Jen, speaker Asfia Awang Nassar said politicians should not hold both elected posts at the same time if they did not have the time.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Don’t be both MP and assemblyman, says Sarawak speaker",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/16/dont-be-both-mp-and-assemblyman-says-sarawak-speaker",
        "published": "2026-10-16T14:43:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}