KUCHING, 13 May 2009: The Sarawak legislative assembly has suspended Bukit Assek assemblyperson and Sarawak DAP chairperson Wong Ho Leng for 12 months effective immediately for his ‘camouflage’ remark in the state legislative assembly sitting last November.
Speaker Datuk Seri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar said Wong, the opposition leader was suspended under Section 14 (1) of the State Legislative Assembly (Privileges & Powers) Ordinance 2007, based on the recommendation made by the Committee of Privileges.
Land Development Minister, Datuk Seri Dr James Masing tabled the motion while Tarat assemblyperson Roland Sagah seconded.
All 60 Barisan Nasional (BN) assemblypersons voted in favour of Wong’s suspension while seven others voted against it.
“Member for Bukit Assek, you are hereby suspended from today for a period of 12 months. Please leave the Dewan,” he said.
Wong walked out from the hall with two DAP state assemblywoman Violet Yong (Pending) and Ting Tze Hui (Meradong) at 6.10 pm.
Wong, who was met outside the State Legislative Assembly building, said the suspension was very “undemocratic and very unfortunate”.
“We will consider (taking) legal action,” he said.
The ruling meant that Wong will be barred from attending the DUN sitting until May next year but during the suspension period he would still receive his salary and allowances as state elected representative.
Contacted by Bernama, Wong confirmed that he still received his salary and allowances as the ruling only disallowed him from attending the sitting.
In the November state assembly sitting last year, Wong used the word ‘camouflage’ repeatedly when debating and seeking clarification from the Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh during the tabling of the Supplementary (2008) Bill 2008.
The Supplementary Supply (2008) Bill, 2008 involved an amount of RM921 million. Under the Bill, RM900 million was allocated for the Statutory Fund while RM21 was million being spent on the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) bonus.
Asfia is the chair of the Committee of Privileges. The other members are Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan, Masing, Assistant Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Lee Kim Shin and Sagah. — Bernama
Eric says
One more restriction now, after tak boleh pakai baju hitam/kuning, cannot name a Mongolian citizen, etc., we cannot say “camouflage” in an elected assembly.
Wong, you just have a precedent laid before you in Perak. Follow Gobind’s lead, sue them!
1BLACK Malaysia. Democracy First. Elections Now.
D Lim says
Wow. I didn’t know ‘camouflage’ is such a dirty word. I think we all better stop talking!