DAP withholds announcement of candidate for Pujut

MIRI: The Democratic Action Party ( DAP) will only announce its candidate for Pujut by- election if the High Court’s judgement today is in favour of the Barisan Nasional ( BN).

State DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said the Kuching High Court is expected to deliver its judgement on the disqualification of Dr Ting Tiong Choon as the elected assemblyman for Pujut this morning.

Speaking to the media at DAP Miri headquarters yesterday, Chong – also Kota Sentosa assemblyman – explained that they ( DAP Sarawak) had to withhold the announcement of their candidate pending the outcome of the court case.

“We have received a notice from our legal team that the judgement on Dr Ting’s case have been brought forward tomorrow (today) at 9am.

“In respect of the court process, we are withholding our

We have received a notice from our legal team that the judgement on Dr Ting’s case have been brought forward to tomorrow (today) at 9am. Chong Chieng Jen, DAP Sarawak chairman

candidate announcement until the conclusion of the case. If the judge rules in favour of our case, then there is no necessity or requirement to announce any candidate because Dr Ting would retain his status as Pujut assemblyman – there will be no need for any by- election,” he told reporters yesterday at the press conference where Kidurong assemblyman Chiew Chin Sing, Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong Wui Wui and state DAP secretary Alan Ling Sie Kiong – who is former Piasau assemblyman – were present.

Dr Ting had on June 7 this year, filed an originating summons to challenge the State Legislative Assembly’s motion on May 12 that disqualified him as Pujut assemblyman because of the status of his Australian citizenship.

Dr Ting won the seat in the 11th state election last year with a majority of 1,759 votes, beating the direct BN candidate Datuk Hii King Chiong, Parti Islam Se- Malaysia ( PAS) Miri chairman Jofri Jaraiee and incumbent Fong Pau Teck, who stood as an Independent candidate.

The Election Commission ( EC) has set June 20 as the nomination day for the byelection, with polling day this July 4.

Apart from Sarawak United People’s Party ( SUPP), the United People’s Party ( UPP) – a BN-friendly party – is also showing keen interest to contest in Pujut.