BN seeks to throw out cop-biting Tian Chua

KUALA LUMPUR, June 14 — Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs have decided to table a motion to debate Chua Tian Chang’s MP status in Parliament, saying that the PKR leader was no longer qualified to hold the post due to a conviction.

Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) deputy chairman Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (picture) told The Malaysian Insiderthat the matter was decided during a meeting with BN leaders yesterday.

“We are of the view that YB Tian Chua is no longer qualified to attend parliamentary proceedings,” he said.

The Kinabatangan MP said that they would first send a notice to the Speaker’s office today requesting for an emergency motion on the matter, and will wait for Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia’s decision on the matter.

“We will inform the Speaker today … after question time, because this has to follow the rules of the Dewan Rakyat. The Speaker will then decide when or whether to allow the motion.

“But this is of importance, Parliament needs to hear this, that’s why we are doing this,” he told The Malaysian Insider.

The Court of Appeal had last month rejected Chua’s appeal against a conviction for biting a policeman based on the deputy public prosecutor (DPP)’s objection that it was filed after the 14-day window.

The decision effectively upholds last year’s High Court decision to uphold his conviction and sentence of a RM2,000 fine in default of two months’ jail, thus throwing his seat status into question.

Under Article 48 of the Federal Constitution and preceding cases, Chua stands disqualified as an MP because he was fined “not less than” RM2,000.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar has declared it would be “irresponsible” if no lawmaker informs the House of Chua’s conviction and possible disqualification.

He told The Malaysian Insider last month that without formal notification from a member of the House, the Speaker could not move to act against Chua, whose status as an MP presently hangs in the balance.