DAP reduces suspension after Koay's apology

The DAP central executive committee (CEC) has reduced the suspension of its member Koay Teng Hai, who is also the Pulau Tikus assemblyperson, from six months to one month.

“In other words, Koay’s suspension will end on Feb 20, 2013,” said the party’s organising secretary, Anthony Loke (right), in a statement today.

He said the decision was made after Koay sent a letter of appeal, which admitted his mistake and apologised.

Loke said the CEC also affirmed the party disciplinary committee’s findings on Jan 11 that Koay has breached the party’s directives.

Koay was suspended for insisting on travelling to the United States to observe the presidential elections, despite being told to attend the state legislative assembly sitting on Nov 1 and having his leave application rejected.

The sitting was to pass the Penang Constitutional Enactment (Amendment) Bill 2012, which bans elected representatives from party-hopping.

It was passed with a narrow margin of 27 votes out of the needed 27.

“As the DAP Penang state government’s Backbencher’s Club chairperson, Koay should not absent himself from this important state assembly meeting to amend the Penang state constitution just to go to the United States,” said Loke.