LDP suspends Liew, 12 others

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KOTA KINABALU: The Disciplinary Committee of Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) announced yesterday that the party membership of former party president Datuk Liew Vui Keong and 12 others will be suspended for three years.

Senator Datuk Chin Su Phin, who heads the Disciplinary Committee, said members in the committee reached a unanimous decision to suspend the 13 members during its second meeting to deliberate on this matter yesterday.

Members of the Disciplinary Committee who were present at the meeting include Chin, Datuk John Su, Fon Keng Sin and John Lee Tshun Vui, while another member Lim Kong Yuk was outstation.

Chin, who is also LDP deputy president, said Liew and the suspended members were banned from releasing press statements, organizing official and community activities in the name of LDP during the three-year suspension period.

The other 12 suspended members are Loretto S. Padua, Datuk Kwan Wing Hung, Tiong King Kiong, Lee Hing Huat, Yap Ma Chun, Cheong Kwek Leong, Lee Ching Seng, Michael David Tsen, Lee Chiew Fah, Chang Chai Sin, Jennite Chan Yee Nan and Lee Chun Boon.

Chin informed that the Disciplinary Committee has received numerous written complaints from party members that these individuals have been engaging in behaviours and activities that bring disrepute and cause damage to the party.

He said members have also questioned the committee as to why the party did not take action against these members who have blatantly violated the party’s constitution, especially Liew, who has repeatedly made detrimental statements in the press and even written to government departments using the party letterhead without authorization.

As such, Chin said the Disciplinary Committee had issued show cause letters to Liew and the 12 members on June 20 this year, along with a request for a written explanation to be submitted within the next 14 days.

“Most of the 13 members have responded and refuted the allegations; while some of them replied that the Disciplinary Committee has no authority to issue the show cause letters,” Chin said after chairing the meeting.

Chin reiterated that some 460 of the total delegates of more than 700 attended the party’s Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on October 6 last year, where they passed the resolution to suspend the party membership of Liew and Loretto pending action by the Disciplinary Committee.

In the party congress cum election on October 19 and 20 last year, the delegates voted for the party leadership headed by Datuk Teo Chee Kang and Chin as the party president and deputy president respectively.

Results of the party election and documents pertaining to the congress have been submitted to the Registrar of Societies (ROS), Chin said.

On January 2 this year, after a two-month investigation, the ROS issued an official letter endorsing the party congress and election held on October 19 and 20. However, Chin said Liew refused to recognize the legitimacy of the party leadership headed by Teo.

Although the Court of Appeal here had upheld the High Court’s verdict in dismissing Liew’s application for leave for judicial review to revoke the ROS’ decision, Liew insisted on pursuing his legal battle to the Federal Court.

“Well, he is free to do what he wants,” Chin said.

Chin disclosed that Liew had even sought a court order in an attempt to get the ROS to issue a show cause notice to LDP to provide reasons why the party should not be de-registered in his application for leave for judicial review.

“His actions could have torn apart LDP!”

Chin said the Disciplinary Committee called for a second meeting yesterday to deliberate on the individuals, including Liew, who have engaged in activities and behaviours that violated the party’s constitution.

“The Disciplinary Committee members have reached a unanimous decision to suspend the party membership of Datuk Liew Vui Keong and 12 other members for three years.”

Under the party’s constitution, Chin said the suspended members, including Liew, could appeal to the Supreme Council if they disagreed with the decision of the Disciplinary Committee.

However, Chin warned that the suspended members may face termination of their party membership if they refuse to abide to the Disciplinary Committee’s decision and continue engaging in activities that could harm the party.

Apart from the ROS’ endorsement, Chin said the new party leadership led by Teo has also received the blessing and recognition from Prime Minister cum Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Hence, Chin urged Liew to stop misleading party members and the public.

On the other hand, he said government departments and community associations can verify with the LDP headquarters if they are in doubt about the letters received or are approached by questionable individuals.