By NAZMI SUHAIMI & NATASHA JEE
KUCHING: After a heated debate at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting yesterday, the August House decided to suspend Padungan assemblyman Wong King Wei effective yesterday by a vote of 64 to 9.
Tourism, Art, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister, who is also Asajaya assemblyman Datuk Abdul Rahman Karim Hamzah, moved the motion to recommend to the house the findings made by the Committee of Privileges to suspend Wong for 12 months for his actions after being referred to the committee.
Abdul Rahman’s motion was seconded by Tourism, Art, Culture, Youth and Sports Assistant Minister, who is also the Senadin assemblyman Datuk Lee Kim Shin.
“The Committee of Privileges found the Padungan assemblyman guilty of the parliamentary privileges as shown in the Report of the Committee which has been circulated to all honourable members,” Karim told the house.
He thereby moved that the Dewan accepted the report and its finding and that Wong be suspended for 12 months from the date the motion was passed.
Wong passionately defended his actions and doubled down on his attack on Asfia, accusing the incumbent Speaker of influencing the findings of the Committee of Privileges from behind the scenes only to be cautioned by deputy speaker Datuk Gerawat Gala.
A huge commotion also followed when Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister, who is also Kota Sentosa assemblyman, Chong Chieng Jen, stood up and defended Wong.
On November last year, Wong called for the removal of Speaker Datuk Amar Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar as he felt that Asfia was unable to show impartiality in the last DUN sitting.
In a press conference later, Wong said he was upset over the decision which he would refer as soon as possible to a legal team to seek advice on whether or not it could be brought to court.
“I did not cause any chaos during the last sitting, and to punish me for 12 months is too excessive,” he said.
He pointed out that usually the maximum suspension of a DUN member was for six months.
“They have misused this August House as a platform for personal pride,” said Wong.
