Sarawak opposition leader Chong Chieng Jen was suspended indefinitely from the state assembly for today refusing to retract words that implied that state Tourism Minister and Housing Minister Abang Johari Openg resembled an Umno politician.
In his winding-up speech today, Abang Johari asked Chong, who is Kota Sentosa assemblyperson, to retract the words, but Chong refused to do so.
Chong (left) said he would restract the words on the condition that the assembly adopted two resolutions.
One, for the assembly to ban Umno from coming to Sarawak and the other, for Sarawak to ban Umno from opening a branch in the state.
As Chong refused to retract the words, state assembly speaker Asfia Awang Nasar directed one of the ministers to move a motion to suspend the Kota Sentosa assemblyperson from the assembly.
The motion was moved by Adenan Satem, Special Affairs Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office.
He was seconded by Wong Soon Koh, Local Government and Community Development Minister.
With the motion, Asfia ordered Chong out and suspended him until Asfia feels Chong is fit to attend the assembly.
This is the second time that Chong has been suspended from the assembly, the first being in 2008 for criticising the speaker of the House for being biased.
Chong was also suspended from the Dewan Rakyat in 2008 for disobeying the speaker.
In his winding-up speech today, Abang Johari asked Chong, who is Kota Sentosa assemblyperson, to retract the words, but Chong refused to do so.
Chong (left) said he would restract the words on the condition that the assembly adopted two resolutions. One, for the assembly to ban Umno from coming to Sarawak and the other, for Sarawak to ban Umno from opening a branch in the state.
As Chong refused to retract the words, state assembly speaker Asfia Awang Nasar directed one of the ministers to move a motion to suspend the Kota Sentosa assemblyperson from the assembly.
The motion was moved by Adenan Satem, Special Affairs Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office.
He was seconded by Wong Soon Koh, Local Government and Community Development Minister.
With the motion, Asfia ordered Chong out and suspended him until Asfia feels Chong is fit to attend the assembly.
This is the second time that Chong has been suspended from the assembly, the first being in 2008 for criticising the speaker of the House for being biased.
Chong was also suspended from the Dewan Rakyat in 2008 for disobeying the speaker.
'Suspension sets two precedents'
Contacted later, Chong said his suspension sets two precedents in history.
“Firstly, the word ‘Umno’ becomes an offensive word in the House. Secondly, this is an unprecedented case that a member of the House was suspended indefinitely, until the speaker sees it fit for me to come back.”
He argued that there was no need for him to retract the statement.
“Why should I withdraw? What is so objectionable to say you behave like an Umno politician!”
During the debate last week, Chong had said Abang Johari was becoming “more and more like an Umno politician”. He had also questioned if the PBB deputy president was trying to bring Umno into Sarawak in order to help him gain power within the party.
Chong was suspended without a vote being taken.
“Firstly, the word ‘Umno’ becomes an offensive word in the House. Secondly, this is an unprecedented case that a member of the House was suspended indefinitely, until the speaker sees it fit for me to come back.”
He argued that there was no need for him to retract the statement.
“Why should I withdraw? What is so objectionable to say you behave like an Umno politician!”
During the debate last week, Chong had said Abang Johari was becoming “more and more like an Umno politician”. He had also questioned if the PBB deputy president was trying to bring Umno into Sarawak in order to help him gain power within the party.
Chong was suspended without a vote being taken.
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