Wong is seen tabling his ministerial motion.
KUCHING: Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh has moved a ministerial motion under Standing Order 23(1)(a), seeking to have Dr Ting Tiong Choon (DAP-Pujut) disqualified as a member of the august House.
The Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce and Second Finance Minister said Article 17(1)(g) of the State Constitution stated that a person is disqualified for being elected as a member of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) if he has voluntarily acquired citizenship outside the federation of Malaysia.
He told the august House today that Dr Ting had acquired Australian citizenship on Jan 22, 2010, which was way before he sought to be elected as an assemblyman last year.
Dr Ting Tiong Choon
“Member for Pujut has declared his allegiance to Australia at the time of acquiring his Australian citizenship. Member for Pujut has also exercised his right as a citizen of Australia by registering with the Election Commission in Australia,” Wong read out in the DUN Chamber here.
Wong added that Dr Ting had been declared bankrupt twice in Australia – a statement which drew gasps of surprise in the chamber.
Before DUN speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar granted the floor to Wong to move the motion, he asked the DAP to name two elected representatives to take part in the debate.
Chiew Chiu Sing (DAP-Tanjong Batu) appealed to Asfia to give time to Dr Ting to prepare himself for the debate on the motion.
Chiew’s appeal was turned down by Asfia, who said the case had already been heard in court and hence Dr Ting should be prepared for it.
The motion, which was read together with Standing Order 32(12), Standing Order 40(10) and Article 17(1)(g) of the State Constitution, was seconded by Assistant Minister for Transportation Datuk Dr Jerip Susil.
Dr Ting was declared bankrupt in Australia on June 29 and Sept 11, 2012
Wong reads out his motion seeking to have Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon disqualified from DUN.