On 28th of February this year, the Sarawak High Court dismissed an ex parte application submitted by Padungan assemblyman & DAPSY Vice Chairman Wong King Wei to prevent former Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Taib Mahmud from accepting the appointment as Sarawak Governor or Yang Di-Pertua Negeri. DAP’s Wong has the strength of the state’s constitution to back his claim.
According to Article 2 (2) of the Sarawak State Constitution the Yang di-Pertua Negeri should not hold any office of profit and shall not engage in any commercial enterprise. Tan Sri Taib however, as is public knowledge, is a director of Mesti Bersatu Sdn Bhd and holds 400,000 shares in the same, since May 2007. This clear violation of the Constitution however was not enough for the court to stop the appointment, as it has no jurisdiction over the matter according to Sabah High Court Judge Chew Soo Ho.
For his attempt to uphold the state constitution on behalf of all Sarawakian, Wong is ordered to pay RM 7000 Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud in costs.
This blatant disregard for the Constitution, the highest law of the land, not only shows the judiciary’s inability to fulfil its mandate but also highlights the disrespect that the State’s ruling Barisan Nasional government has for the law.
We, the Democratic Action Party Socialist Youth (DAPSY), stand in solidarity with Sdr Wong King Wei in upholding the constitution of Sarawak. This legal matter is not a personal case of Sdr Wong King Wei, but rather a matter of public interest, which the Barisan Nasional must take note.
We are therefore launching today, a campaign to raise the RM7,000 in cost due to Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud from DAPSY members as well as members of the public, to demonstrate our solidarity with Sdr Wong King Wei and our solidarity to all efforts to uphold the Constitution of Sarawak and the well being of all her citizens. This fundraising campaign will run for 10 days from 16th July 2014 to 26th July 2014.
Members of public who which to contribute can kindly bank in to account, DAP Socialist Youth Malaysia (Public Bank), account number 3189-4183-03. For more information or enquiries, please contact [email protected]