MALIM Nawar rep Leong Cheok Keng has been sacked from DAP with immediate effect after failing to explain his alleged plan to defect to rival party MCA, said Chong Chieng Jen.

Chong, who is DAP disciplinary committee chairman, said the decision was made at the committee’s meeting yesterday. 

The sacking comes after the party had earlier this month asked Leong to explain reports of him applying to join MCA.

“Instead of replying to the disciplinary committee’s letter, Leong has chosen to go through the media to state he will not reply to the disciplinary committee’s query. 

“Such defiance and arrogance to the internal party disciplinary mechanism is not acceptable,” said Chong in a statement today. 

He added that Leong’s refusal to answer the committee also rendered credence to the report about him applying to join MCA. 

This, Chong said, was a fundamental breach of the party discipline and a compromise to the integrity of a party leader. 

“Leong has left the disciplinary committee no other alternative but to terminate his party membership with immediate effect.” 

Chong also said the DAP constitution does not allow any party member to be the member of another political party. 

He said any person found to apply or hold the membership of another political party will have their DAP membership terminated. 

Earlier this month, Chinese daily China Press had reported speculations of about 20 DAP elected reps leaving the party. 

The report added that Leong would kickstart the defection by joining MCA, to be followed by the rest. 

Leong has been vocal in criticising his party leadership, especially the leadership of Perak DAP chief Nga Kor Ming. – January 18, 2021.