Court’s decision proves disqualification an abuse of power — Chong
KUCHING: The disqualification of Dr Ting Tiong Choon as Pujut assemblyman by the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) has been proven to be an abuse of the DUN’s power by the High Court’s judgement yesterday.
State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said this yesterday after High Court Judge Datuk Douglas Christo Primus Sikayun delivered his ruling to reverse the Dewan’s disqualification on May 12 and reinstate Dr Ting as a member of the august House.
“The disqualification of Dr Ting by the Dewan is a clear abuse of power. Today’s (yesterday) judgement sent a very strong message to the Speaker of the Sarawak DUN.
“He (DUN Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar) can act like God in DUN. I’ve always said that he is the judge, the prosecutor and the enforcer in DUN.
“He is the almighty (in DUN). But stepping out of DUN, he is subject to the law. Today (yesterday), the judgement has indicated that he cannot act above the law,” he told journalists outside the High Court here.
He pointed out that the High Court’s decision should serve as a lesson for all Barisan Nasional (BN) elected representatives to respect the law.
“Although they are in the government, they have to respect the law, the constitution and not only in the handling of the DUN matters but also in all policies.
“They have to respect the law and the natural justice to the people otherwise you will have a lot of high-handed rules, laws and policies coming into play,” he said.
Chong thanked the DAP legal team led by counsel Chong Siew Chiang that spent days and nights in preparation to present the case.
“The argument was lengthy, the research was thorough and the presentation was superb,” remarked Chieng Jen.
Also on the DAP’s legal team were counsels Tan Kee Heng, Wong King Wei and Michael Kong.
“I think they have all done a very good job. They have also recorded their appreciation to the judge in expediting the decision,” said Chieng Jen.
Among those present were Tanjong Batu assemblyman Chiew Chin Sing and Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong.