DAP will continue to serve the state constituency of Pujut in Miri until the end of the term, following the disqualification of party member Dr Ting Tiong Choon as the assemblyman.

Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said in a statement today that while the party was saddened by the apex court’s decision, it would not deter them from continuing to render their services to the people of Pujut.

“Since his election, Dr Ting has proven himself to be a very hardworking and dedicated elected representative. Therefore, notwithstanding the disqualification, his service centre shall continue to operate as DAP’s service centre till the end of the term,” he said.

A nine-panel judge of the Federal Court today ruled that the Sarawak state assembly was right in disqualifying Dr Ting as the assemblyman for Pujut over his dual citizenship status.

It overturned a Court of Appeal ruling in a 7-2 majority decision, citing Article 19 of the Sarawak Constitution and Article 72 (1) of the federal constitution which state, respectively, that the assembly has the final say in such a matter and that assembly proceedings cannot be questioned in any court.

Chong, who is also the Sarawak Pakatan Harapan chairman, said that the only consoling fact was that two of the judges, namely Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat and Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak David Wong Dak Wah had made their written statements in favour of Dr Ting.

“However, the remaining written judgment was written by one judge and agreed upon by the other six judges. It is sad and disappointing that in such an important case, they chose not to write their separate opinion but decided to tag along with the judgement of one of their colleagues,” he said.

According to Chong, the decision left the Sarawak state assembly free to do whatever it wanted in the house, giving it unfettered and unlimited power which would would destroy the fundamental doctrine of separation of power.

“Dr Ting’s case is one where the Sarawak state assembly has abused its power through a Ministerial Motion by disqualifying an elected representative with its brute majority,” he added. – Bernama, February 11, 2020.