KOTA KINABALU: Luyang assemblyman Dr Hiew King Cheu is still an independent assemblyman and not one from the Barisan Nasional (BN) because the BN Supreme Council has yet to decide on his position.
In a statement here yesterday, United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko) acting president Datuk Madius Tangau said as far as Upko was concerned, Hiew was still an independent assemblymen until the BN Supreme Council decided otherwise.
He acknowledged that soon after the 13th general election last year, there were already some moves from elected representatives from the opposition to join the BN.
“Therefore, going by that principle, Dr Hiew will remain an independent assemblymen until the MCA submits his membership application to the BN Supreme Council for a decision,” he added.
On June 6, Dr Hiew submitted his membership application form to Sabah MCA chief Wilson Yong in the presence of MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, stating he chose MCA because the party defended the position of the Chinese and, at the same time, served all races.
However, his move was critisised by other Sabah BN component parties, including Parti Bersatu Sabah and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah as they believed it could destabilise the Sabah BN. — Bernama