Dr Sim denies allegation of him having dual-citizenship
LOCAL Government and Housing Minister Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian has shot down DAP’s allegations of him holding dual citizenships.
“Even though I spent 17 years in Australia – from the time I was a high school student, a medical student to becoming a specialist – I never took Australian citizenship,” he rebutted.
The opposition party had attempted to drag Dr Sim into ‘hot water’ after the august House voted in favour of International Trade and E- Commerce Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh’s motion yesterday that resulted in Dr Ting Tiong Choon ( DAP-Pujut) being disqualified as a member of the House with immediate effect.
“The minute I completed my training as a specialist, I came back in Malaysia,” Dr Sim pointed out to after being asked to comment about the allegation made in chamber, which he did not have the opportunity to clarify even though he stood up a few times.
“The difference is that I set up a heart centre for the people – unlike the other party that always criticises and a doctor in private practice, making money for himself while serving the public.
“It’s a very sad day for Sarawak DUN (State Legislative Assembly), especially with DAP being wellversed in the law of this country but has breached it,” he said, referring to the outcome that befell Dr Ting.
Dr Sim also slammed ‘an individual’ who claimed to be speaking of the facts, whom he ( Dr Sim) believed should be disqualified as well, on the grounds that the allegations were unfounded.
“This is called double standard – any practising lawyer should know about facts,” he said of the opposition’s perception that those ( Malaysians) living abroad for a long period of time must have held foreign citizenship.
On this, Dr Sim said in the past, individuals with specific skills could be granted automatic permanent residency ( PR) in Australia, which was different from citizenship.
“I’ve stayed there (Australia) for 17 years but I am not a PR now,” he added.