Yong’s FB posting on Speaker’s salary slanderous, misleading
KUCHING: Newly appointed political secretary to the chief minister, Suzanne Lee, regrets that Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong has brought up the issue of the State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Asfia Awang Nasar’s annual remuneration of about RM6 million, a statement that is considered slanderous and misleading.
Lee said an assemblyperson is an elected representative who should not act in an undignified and dishonourable way.
Assemblypersons ought to be role models to the society, play a role to guide people in rationalthinking and care for the nation, she said.
“Yong should not be stirring up negative sentiments among the people as such an act will not just victimise the Speaker but the people will also end up being the victims of her political agenda.”
Lee added that assemblypersons are part of the august House, and should therefore share the responsibility of upholding the dignity of the House.
“When they are in doubt during the sitting, they can clarify inside the Chamber or they can seek personal clarification from the ministers concerned. Do not play political games by releasing misleading statement on social media.”
According to Lee, people of today are wise enough to distinguish right from wrong, and they are open to opinions from various parties rather than listening to one party.
“If one continues to abuse the freedom of speech by issuing statements that are slanderous, it will infringe on the basic principle of social moral and justice.”
Yong was fined RM2,000 for contempt of the august House for her refusal to delete a Facebook post which disparaged the Speaker’s reputation.
Yong’s Nov 13 Facebook posting has gone viral and thousands have been misled to think that the Speaker’s salary for next year was RM5.95 million.
This punishment was meted under Section 24(1) of the Dewan Undangan Negri ( Privileges and Powers) Ordinance 2007 ( Cap 65) after she was referred to the privileges committee.
Minister of International Trade and E- Commerce Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh had suggested for Yong to be punished with the maximum fine of RM2,000 for showing no remorse to the offence committed.
Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip seconded the motion.
Apart from Lee, Muara Tuang assemblyman Dato Idris Buang also supported the motion to fine Yong, and queried her intention for the Facebook posting.
Only DAP Sarawak chairman Chong Chieng Jen ( DAP - Kota Sentosa) stood up to defend Yong during the sitting.