Wong mulls challenging DUN suspension in court

Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei is to consult his legal team before deciding whether or not to pursue his 12-month suspension from the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) in court.

Wong, whose suspension yesterday was with immediate effect, said that since there was no way for him to make an appeal in the august House, he would look to challenge the decision in court.

“I will refer my case to our legal team. We want to do it in a way to preserve natural justice. We need to see whether there is a breach in natural justice.

“The way I see it, there is ( a breach), but I need the advice from our legal team first. If there are grounds to challenge it, we will,” he told reporters at the DUN yesterday.

Earlier, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah moved the ministerial motion against Wong, who allegedly uttered offensive remarks against the august House, executive and the Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar during his debate speech in the last November DUN sitting.

“On Nov 12, 2018, the august House decided that Wong be referred to the Committee of Privileges for breach of parliamentary privileges.

“Whereas pursuant to the said decision of this august House, on Feb 18 this year, the Committee of Privileges met and investigated into the complaint made against Wong for breach of privileges by making accusations against the Speaker in his debate speech on the Supply Bill (2019) 2018 as recorded in the Hansard page 64,” said Abdul Karim.

The Asajaya assemblyman said the committee had found that Wong was guilty of the breach of parliamentary privileges as shown in the report.

“Hereby I move that this Dewan accepts the report and the finding therein by the Committee of Privileges, that the Honourable Member for Padungan is guilty of the said complaint of breach of parliamentary privileges, and that he be suspended for a period of 12 months from the date when this motion is passed by this august House.”

The motion was seconded by Tourism, Arts and Culture assistant minister Datuk Lee Kim Shin.

Sixty-four assemblymen voted in favour of the motion, while nine voted against.

Wong, in his defence, said there was no justification for suspending him for 12 months as he had only proposed for a DUN reform, adding that he was also unaware of the exact charge against him.

“You’re not punishing me. You’re punishing the people of Padungan by usurping my right to speak (for them),” he said.

Speaking to reporters later, Wong reiterated that what he said last November was not something spoken against the DUN Speaker personally, but for the purpose of DUN reform.

“I see it as a trivial offence, but the Speaker went all the way to punish me. I was not given the normal six months (of suspension) but 12 months.

“I think I am ( being) unfairly treated. It is an overreaction by the Speaker who is utilising me to establish his powerfulness to GPS ( Gabungan Parti Sarawak) members and the Opposition, (in) that he (cannot be) challenged or removed,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kota Sentosa assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen viewed the punishment of 12 months as ‘ too heavy’. He pointed out that Wong was in the right when he spoke about the need for DUN reform in the last sitting.

The way I see it, there is (a breach), but I need the advice from our legal team first. If there are grounds to challenge it, we will. Wong King Wei