Dominique Ng and Chong Chieng Jien slapped with 12 months' suspension-An Act of retaliation By BN Over P212-Sibu By-Election Defeat

Kuching
Tuesday, 18th May 2010

Dominique Ng (PKR-Padungan) and Chong Chieng Jien (DAP-Kota Sentosa) were today slapped with 12 months' suspension from the state assembly, effective immediately, for contempt.

Barisan Nasional Assemblymen have been using the (Privileges and Powers) Ordinance 2007 since it approval by DUN in 2007. The main purposes ofbthe ordinance is to curb opposition's assemblymen from criticizing the BN government.  

I wrote about this last year.

The ruling means that this will be the two opposition assemblymen's last appearance at the current assembly as its term will officially end on July 24, 2011.

The Sarawak state assembly sits twice a year, with the first session starting in May and the second, in November, usually for state budget tabling.

YB Dominique Ng (PKR-Padungan)

Ng was the first to be suspended by State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar after 53 assemblymen voted in favour of the suspension, seven against and one abstained.

He was suspended for his "kangaroo court" remark in May sitting last year during the debate on the motion to adopt the findings and recommendations of the Committee of Privileges regarding Wong Ho Leng (DAP-Bukit Assek).

Ng had said: "This is a kangaroo court. Let's count the kangaroos. Come hop, hop, hop."

Speaking to reporters soon after his suspension, Ng said he was disappointed with the ruling as it meant that he would not be able to voice out the problems of his constituency for a year and would have to wait for the new term of the new state government to begin.

YB Chong Chieng Jien (DAP-Kota Sentosa)

Later, Chong, who is Sarawak DAP secretary, received similar punishment after 54 assemblymen voted in favour of his suspension and six against.

Chong was found to be in contempt of the august house in May last year for disputing and challenging the decision of the house regarding the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) engaging Chinese experts to study the flood mitigation project for Kuching city.

The second charge aginst him was for imputing improper motives towards Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister's Department Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman for allegedly indirectly causing a Gambier street hawker to commit suicide.

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