Opposition upset over decision to disqualify Dr Ting from DUN
MEMBERS of the opposition expressed their disappointment with the State Legislat ive Assembly ( DUN) in what they claim as the ‘abuse of power by the august House, the abuse of the court’s decision and disrespect of democracy’ with regard to the unseating of Dr Ting Tiong Choon ( DAP-Pujut) from the assembly.
Yesterday, the august House voted in favour of International Trade and E- Commerce Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh’s motion, which sought to disqualify Dr Ting as an elected representative.
Opposition leaders Chong Chieng Jen ( DAP-Kota Sentosa) and Baru Bian ( PKR-Ba Kelalan) said yesterday was a ‘sad day’ for Sarawak and its people.
“It’s tantamount to the DUN taking the law into its own hands instead of leaving it for the court to decide,” he told a press conference held after the morning session of the DUN sitting yesterday.
Adding on, Baru said PKR was in solidarity with the DAP, pointing out that the matter had been arbitrated in the court of law which was crucial from the perspective of any democratic country in the world.
“We see this separation of power with the legislature, which is the state assembly and Parliament, then the executive and then the judiciary.
“This is for checks and balances, to ensure that one is not dominant over the other.
“What benefit does this have except sending a very wrong message to the public at large in a democratic country that as the government of the day, you are trying to do whatever you want; when you cannot win (it) in court, you try to win it in the DUN,” he stressed.
Pressed further if he did acquire dual citizenship, Dr Ting admitted to this but pointed out he had renounced it before contesting in the state election last year.
“The evidence t hat t hey produced was not strong enough, but I think that was not the reason why they disqualified me – I think there must be other ulterior motives; perhaps because I’m in the opposition – if I wasn’t, it would be silly for them to do that.
“This has nothing to do with justice and integrity – it has everything to do with politics. I came back to serve the public and contribute to Sarawak,” added Dr Ting.
Chong revealed that Dr Ting came back under the invitation of Talent Corp – an initiative aimed at attracting Malaysians living abroad to return home and help develop Malaysia.
“He ( Dr Ting) was head-hunted, but only joined DAP later. Before the election, all these allegations were already there,” he said, pointing out that the people especially in Pujut had supported and voted for him despite knowing that he had dual citizenship.
Chong said his side would not let this off easily as they would look into the legality of the case to challenge the decision in court.
However, he also acknowledged: “This is another major hurdle because there’s a provision of the law that says any proceeding of the DUN cannot be challenged. That’s what you call immunity.”