Alan Ling – File photo
MIRI: Dr Ting Tiong Choon will not return the remuneration paid to him as Pujut assemblyman, said Senator Alan Ling after a Federal Court decided on Tuesday in favour of Dr Ting’s disqualification from the State Legislative Assembly (DUN).
At a press conference called by Dr Ting here, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak secretary challenged the DUN Secretary Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar to send the letter of demand to Dr Ting for all monies paid to him during his service as an assemblyman from 2016.
“We are not going to pay back. He can bring this to court only to embarrass himself for not understanding the law and the judgement,” said Ling.
Dr Ting pointed out earlier that the remuneration he received as an assemblyman was not his priority.
Asserting that he had served the people as an assemblyman, he said it was a “disgraceful and embarrassing” move for the state government and DUN Speaker to demand that he returned the money paid to him.
“I feel embarrassed to be part of this,” said the Democratic Action Party leader.
Asfia had told reporters after the court decision that he would instruct the DUN Secretary to write to Dr Ting to ask for reimbursement of all monies received.
“He (Dr Ting) has never been a lawful representative of Pujut and as such he should be receiving salary (as an assemblyman),” he said.
The Federal Court, in a 7-2 majority decision, overturned the earlier decisions of the Court of Appeal and Kuching High Court to reinstate Dr Ting as Pujut assemblyman after he had been disqualified in the DUN.
The Federal Court found that the DUN had the power to disqualify Dr Ting for having dual citizenship despite him renouncing it before contesting in the polls. Dr Ting had acquired Australian citizenship in 2010 but renounced it on April 4, 2016.
In the 2016 state election, Dr Ting had secured 8,899 votes to win with a majority of 1,759 votes in a four-cornered fight. His closest contender was Barisan Nasional candidate Hii King Chiong who garnered 7,140 voters.
At the press conference this morning, Dr Ting also highlighted his 12 major achievements during his term as assemblyman.
Among them are in helping the Bario Penan who do not have identity cards, initiating the student bus programme, implemented the ferry service at Marudi, relocation of SJKC Chio Nam to Miri, and in tackling Miri parking fees, illegal fishing and illegal occupation of land.
On what he planned to do next, Dr Ting said he would return to his profession as a doctor and hoped to visit other parts of Sarawak.
In pointing out that his service centre in Pujut would remain open, he said he would continue to serve the people until the next state election.