Sabah DAP wants its former state chief Hiew King Cheu to vacate the Luyang state seat and a by-election to be held, following his announcement to quit the party last month.
A group handed a letter today to speaker Salleh Tun Said Keruak, who was represented by his deputy speaker Johnny Mositun.
A group handed a letter today to speaker Salleh Tun Said Keruak, who was represented by his deputy speaker Johnny Mositun.
The letter claimed Hiew had earlier signed an affidavit to vacate the seat should he quit DAP.
DAP Sabah secretary Dr Edwin Bosi, who led the group, was accompanied by Sabah DAP chief cum Kota Kinabalu MP Jimmy Wong and publicity secretary cum Sri Tanjung assemblyperson Chan Foong Hin.
When contacted, Hiew admitted that he signed the statement before this year’s general election, but argued that the document was disputable in law.
The candidates had reportedly read a pledge of loyalty to the party in DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's presence.
“This is like a promise between a husband and wife to be together forever during their marriage, but when both parties separate, you can’t do anything about it,” he told Malaysiakini today.
He added that the statement was signed, together with other election candidates of Sabah DAP in a press conference, but not witnessed by any lawyer or solicitor.
Hence, Hiew opined that it was not inappropriate if he chose not to abide by the pledge and served the people as an independent assemblyperson.
However in its statement, Sabah DAP said vacating Luyang state seat honoured the pledge to give the people a choice to vote again.
"Hiew won the state seat under DAP ticket, but quit the party on Sept 27," pointed out the statement.
Change for future
Wong, commenting on Hiew's intention of applying for the RM1 million Assemblyman Fund from the BN government, said the Luyang voters wanted a change for the future and not an immediate benefit like money when they voted for Hiew.
"In fact many of the voters felt cheated and betrayed by Hiew's action because they voted for DAP and not for any other reason," he lamented.
DAP Sabah secretary Dr Edwin Bosi, who led the group, was accompanied by Sabah DAP chief cum Kota Kinabalu MP Jimmy Wong and publicity secretary cum Sri Tanjung assemblyperson Chan Foong Hin.
When contacted, Hiew admitted that he signed the statement before this year’s general election, but argued that the document was disputable in law.
The candidates had reportedly read a pledge of loyalty to the party in DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's presence.
“This is like a promise between a husband and wife to be together forever during their marriage, but when both parties separate, you can’t do anything about it,” he told Malaysiakini today.
He added that the statement was signed, together with other election candidates of Sabah DAP in a press conference, but not witnessed by any lawyer or solicitor.
Hence, Hiew opined that it was not inappropriate if he chose not to abide by the pledge and served the people as an independent assemblyperson.
However in its statement, Sabah DAP said vacating Luyang state seat honoured the pledge to give the people a choice to vote again.
"Hiew won the state seat under DAP ticket, but quit the party on Sept 27," pointed out the statement.
Change for future
Wong, commenting on Hiew's intention of applying for the RM1 million Assemblyman Fund from the BN government, said the Luyang voters wanted a change for the future and not an immediate benefit like money when they voted for Hiew.
"In fact many of the voters felt cheated and betrayed by Hiew's action because they voted for DAP and not for any other reason," he lamented.
Dr Bosi said the speaker must defend the democratic spirit of the state assembly.
"Unfortunately, Hiew's decision to leave DAP shows he had breached the pledge and betrayed the constituents," said Bosi (left), the Kapayan assemblyperson.
He also chided Hiew for claiming the pledge was an election tactic, as this showed disrespect to the voters and the party.
As for Hiew, he claimed that many supported him for quitting the party.
"I will not resign as an assemblyperson and will serve the people as independent representative," he stressed.
Hiew has not been on good terms with the Sabah DAP leadership after he was overthrown by present Sabah DAP chief Jimmy Wong's camp in the 2010 party election.
The dispute worsened last month when four Sabah assemblypersons, including Wong, filed a complaint against Hiew with the DAP disciplinary board.
Asked his reasons for quitting the party, Hiew answered briefly, saying that there were complaints that he was not an integral part of the party and he did not want to see the indifference in the party anymore.
"Unfortunately, Hiew's decision to leave DAP shows he had breached the pledge and betrayed the constituents," said Bosi (left), the Kapayan assemblyperson.He also chided Hiew for claiming the pledge was an election tactic, as this showed disrespect to the voters and the party.
As for Hiew, he claimed that many supported him for quitting the party.
"I will not resign as an assemblyperson and will serve the people as independent representative," he stressed.
Hiew has not been on good terms with the Sabah DAP leadership after he was overthrown by present Sabah DAP chief Jimmy Wong's camp in the 2010 party election.
The dispute worsened last month when four Sabah assemblypersons, including Wong, filed a complaint against Hiew with the DAP disciplinary board.
Asked his reasons for quitting the party, Hiew answered briefly, saying that there were complaints that he was not an integral part of the party and he did not want to see the indifference in the party anymore.
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