The motion filed and passed by Barisan Nasional in the Sarawak State Assembly to disqualify Dr. Ting Tiong Choon as the State Assemblyman for Pujut is an exercise of the tyranny of majority, clear abuse of process and a dictatorial-veto of the people of Pujut’s choice in the last Sarawak election.
A member’s qualification as an elected representative is to be determined by the Federal Constitution or the Constitution of the respective State. The interpretation of the Federal Constitution or the Constitution of the respective State shall rest solely with the Courts of competent jurisdiction.
It shall be noted that in fact the Election Petition filed by Barisan Nasional against Dr. Ting Tiong Choon on similar grounds had been previously struck out by the Election Court. The Barisan Nasional through its majority in the Sarawak State Assembly had now taken the law into its own hands in order to achieve its political purpose.
The passing of the ministerial motion is shocking. This has set a bad and dangerous precedent damaging the structure and spirit of democracy of the nation, with the ruling coalition holding majority members in the assembly can literally disqualify another member of the assembly of dissent by a vote of simple majority. Does it mean that in future any opposition members, be it from Pakatan Harapan or Barisan Nasional, can be sacked and disqualified from the legislative assembly by the majority ruling at any time and by any reason(s) to be accused of?
A total number of 8,899 voters in Pujut had made the choice in favour of DAP-Dr. Ting in the election. This is a decision of the people which ought to be respected by all parties, including Barisan Nasional.