Sarawak state assembly has right to disqualify people's representative - Academician

The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly has the right to disqualify any people's representative such as a state assemblyman, said law professor at the International Islamic University Malaysia, associate professor Dr. Khairil Azmin Mokhtar.

He said the Sarawak State Constitution had the legal provision to allow that decision to be made.

"The Sarawak State Assembly has the authority through legal provision to disqualify an assemblyman who has contravened the constitution, in this case, it is understood that the decision involves the issue of nationality and bankruptcy.

"I agree with the statement by Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah (Asajaya assemblyman), the State Assembly has the right to decide on the status of Dr Ting Tiong Choon, and its decision is final and should not be questioned on the basis of an assemblyman''s special rights," he told Bernama when contacted Friday.

In its sitting today, the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly disqualified DAP elected representative Dr Ting as Pujut assemblyman.

Asked if the decision could be challenged in court, Khairil Azmin said the issue and reasons for taking it to court would be based on the powers of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly. - BERNAMA