Soon Koh to consult CM, State A-G

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Soon Koh respects court’s decision, says motion against Dr Ting not tabled in personal capacity

Wong Soon Koh

KUCHING: United People’s Party (UPP) president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh says he will consult the Chief Minister and the state Attorney General before deciding on the next course of action following the cancellation of the Pujut by-election.

Wong, who is also Minister of International Trade and E-Commerce and Second Minister of Finance, said the ministerial motion he tabled on May 12 in the State Legislative Assembly to disqualify Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon was not something done at his own whim.

Dr Ting was disqualified in a 70-10 vote in favour of a ministerial motion in the DUN on May 12 for having once acquired Australian citizenship although he subsequently renounced it.

Kuching High Court in its ruling yesterday, however, canceled the decision made by the DUN and restored Dr Ting as Pujut assemblyman. This means the Pujut by-election fixed on July 4 will not be held.

“The court has decided and we respect its decision.

“The motion I tabled in the DUN was a ministerial motion in my capacity as a minister and Cabinet member. It was not something done at my own whim.

“Therefore, before deciding on the next course of action, I will have to consult with the Chief Minister and the state Attorney General,” Wong said yesterday.

On the court decision pertaining to the conduct of proceedings by the Speaker an d the decision of the DUN, he said he would leave it to the Speaker (Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar) to comment on it.

The High Court also ordered the Speaker, Wong, who tabled the motion to disqualify Dr Ting, and DUN to pay cost of RM100,000 to Dr Ting.

Meanwhile, Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president and Minister of Local Government and Housing Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said he also respected the court’s decision although saying the ruling was unexpected.

He, nonetheless, urged SUPP branches in Miri to continue serving the people there to win the hearts and minds of the voters even though there would not be any by-election.

“I call on them (the SUPP branches) to continue to service the people since the 14th general election) is coming soon,” he told reporters after a function in Batu Kawa yesterday.