KUCHING, Feb 11: DAP Sarawak opines that the Federal Court’s ruling today concerning Dr Ting Tiong Choon as literally allowing the Sarawak State Assembly to do whatever it wants in the assembly which basically destroys the fundamental doctrine of separation of power.
Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sarawak chairman Chong Chien Jen in a statement revealed the party is sad and disappointed that Dr Ting was officially disqualified as Pujut assemblyman following the Federal Court decision in Putrajaya today over the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly’s (DUN) action against Dr Ting due to his past dual citizenship.
“Dr Ting’s case is one where the Sarawak DUN has abused its power through a Ministerial Motion (after the defeated Barisan Nasional candidate lost in both the election result and Election Court) by disqualifying an elected representative with its brute majority.
“The Sarawak DUN has taken away the rightfully elected representative of the people of Pujut thereby depriving the people of Pujut their voices in the state assembly. Though the majority judgment of Federal Court has decided not to interfere with the decision of the State Assembly, that does not give justification to the State Assembly’s resolution to disqualify Dr Ting,” Chong asserted.
He pointed that the only consoling facts is that the panel of nine judges delivered three written judgments, out of which two written judgments were made by the Chief Justice and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak who’ve decided in favour of Dr Ting.
The remaining one written judgment was written by a judge and agreed upon by the other six judges.
“It is sad and disappointing that in such an important case, six federal court judges chose not to write their separate opinion but decided to tag along the judgement of one of their colleagues,” Chong lamented.
As for DAP and Dr Ting, Chong assured that since the later has been elected by the Pujut voters for this term, notwithstanding the fact that he is now disqualified, he shall continue to serve Pujut constituents till the end of the term.
“Since elected, Dr Ting has proven himself as a very hardworking and dedicated elected representative. Therefore, notwithstanding the disqualification, his service centre shall continue to operate as DAP’s service centre and he shall continue to serve till end of the term,” Chong added. — DayakDaily
