Defendants question former Pujut rep’s loyalty to the country
KUCHING: The loyalty of former Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon was raised in the High Court when hearing over his case proceeded yesterday.
The matter was raised by the defendants in the case to challenge the State Legislative Assembly’s (DUN) decision to disqualify Dr Ting as a member.
The defendants are DUN speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar, Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, and the Election Commission (EC).
Judge Datuk Douglas Cristo Primus Skayun presided over the case.
The respondents’ legal team questioned Dr Ting’s dual citizenship and alleged disloyalty to the country, especially to Pujut constituents, when he was an elected representative.
The state government was also originally named as one of the respondents but it was struck out.
State attorney general Talat Mahmood Abdul Rashid represented the DUN, while counsels Shankar Ram Asnani and Grace Lee represented Mohd Asfia and Wong respectively. Counsel for the EC was Azizan Arshad.
The court was told that Dr Ting’s loyalty to the country was in question because his Australian citizenship was allegedly acquired when he was still a Malaysian citizen.
The court was also told there were laws and provisions allowing the DUN to disqualify the plaintiff as member of the august House.
The EC also submitted that the decision was beyond its jurisdiction because only the DUN has the power over its members.
¡°It is up to the Dewan (DUN) to decide on it because it involved membership of the members. Once the Dewan has decided, the EC cannot question why he was disqualified.
“We (EC) just rely on the letter from the Dewan and only decide on the date of election or on whether the seat is vacant; (the) reasons for vacancy are not our concern. It is under the Dewan’s jurisdiction,” Azizan said.
Dr Ting, as the plaintiff, will reply to these submissions by the respondents today.
The delivery of decision is set on July 19.
Chong Siew Chiang is leading the legal team for Dr Ting.