Sarawak DAP chief suspended from state assembly

Sarawak DAP chief and Padungan assemblyman Chong Chieng Jen was suspended from the Sarawak state assembly for the remainder of the current session after a motion alleging that he misled the assembly about Sarawak’s 2027 budget document and acted improperly during its debate was passed today.

Dayak Daily reported that the motion was moved by state transport minister and Senadin assemblyman Lee Kim Shin and seconded by minister in the premier’s department and Kakus assemblyman John Sikie Tayai.

Sixty-two assemblymen voted in favour and one against while another abstained.

The motion alleged that Chong deliberately misled the Dewan on Oct 13 and acted improperly during the budget debate on Oct 14, including by repeatedly making allegations he could not substantiate.

It accused him of using offensive and insulting language against fellow assemblymen and imputing improper motives to them.

In tabling the motion, Lee referred to Chong’s remarks on Oct 13, when Chong questioned the reliability of the budget document after highlighting a pagination issue.

Lee quoted Chong as saying: “And more importantly, if such a serious error can be made in basic document pagination, what confidence do we have in the budget document’s more detailed figures?”

Lee then referred to the speaker’s response on Oct 14, when Asfia Awang Nassar described Chong’s remark as “uncalled for and mischievous”.

“Under Standing Order 32(12), any member who makes any statement in the Dewan that deliberately misleads the Dewan is deemed to be out of order or to be in contempt,” Asfia was quoted as saying in the Hansard.

Lee also highlighted Chong’s remarks to the speaker: “So, Tuan Speaker, you have wasted a lot of my time… I know you are in control, but please be fair to me…”

Another remark cited in the motion was Chong’s statement about Kota Sentosa assemblyman Wilfred Yap: “Kota Sentosa is hallucinating. He thought something criminal was being committed.”

Lee said the Standing Orders provided a framework for vigorous debate while preserving the dignity and orderly proceedings of the Dewan.

“All members of this House have the right to speak, question, disagree and scrutinise the government. These are essential features of parliamentary democracy and must be respected. Those rights, however, carry responsibilities.

“Every member must observe the Standing Orders, respect the authority of the chair, and exercise care in making statements and allegations in the House,” he said.

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