PERAK exco Paul Yong Choo Kiong will be asked to go on leave if the police probe into the rape allegation against him takes too long, said the menteri besar.

“There’s no criminal charge as yet, but if the investigation takes a long time, he could be advised to go on leave,” Ahmad Faizal Azumu told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

He said he has postponed important meetings, pending the probe.

“He (Yong) is still an exco, and he can still come to the office, but I have postponed the important meetings.”

Faizal, who is also Tambun MP, denied that today’s weekly exco meeting was postponed due to the investigation.

“The exco meeting was postponed because I’m in Kuala Lumpur for a Pardons Board meeting, but the swearing-in ceremony (for excos) has been postponed because of the investigation into one of the excos.

“It’s not appropriate that I continue without that exco.”

On whether DAP man Yong, who is the exco in charge of housing and local government, should be suspended, Faizal said: “There’s just a (police) report and investigation, and I think we can only suspend the person from the position if he uses it to influence the investigation.

“But, we will have to relook that if he’s charged.”

Yong yesterday came forward to deny the rape allegation made by his Indonesian maid, who lodged a report on Monday.

The Tronoh assemblyman, who voluntarily went to police for questioning, has vowed to clear his name. – July 11, 2019.