Kuching: The Speaker and the Sarawak state government must be held accountable for explaining how ADUN for Padungan Chong Chieng Jen’s expulsion was justified when he was absent and had no practical opportunity to answer the allegations, said Chong Hong Hien, who demanded transparency over the decision and the process behind it.
The DAPSY Sarawak Organising Secretary stressed that the public deserved a clear explanation of how the decision was reached, particularly given the serious consequences for an elected representative’s ability to perform his duties.
“If a motion is tabled and dealt with in the absence of the person concerned, and that person has no practical opportunity to respond to the allegations, the Speaker and the State Government must at the very least explain to the public how the process ensured that his position was fairly considered,” he said.
The motion was tabled on 15 October 2026 by Sarawak Transport Minister Lee Kim Shin, who accused Chong Chieng Jen of misleading the Assembly, insulting fellow members and using unverified information.
Chong Hong Hien said Chong Chieng Jen had informed the Speaker before his debate on 14 October 2026 that he needed to attend Parliament the following day to obtain an oral answer from the Home Affairs Minister concerning drug abuse in his constituency.
He questioned the suggestion that Chong Chieng Jen deliberately avoided the Assembly to evade disciplinary action, noting that the motion was only introduced the day after his debate.
Chong Hong Hien said any claim that the absence was deliberate should be supported by objective evidence rather than assumptions about his intentions.
He also emphasised that the Speaker’s role extended beyond maintaining order to ensuring that Assembly procedures were applied consistently and that disciplinary decisions were supported by sufficient factual grounds.
“The law is not merely a tool to confer power upon those in authority, but rather it is to ensure that such power is constrained by fairness and justice,” he said.
He called on the Speaker and state government to explain the evidence supporting the allegations, the procedures followed in considering the motion and how Chong Chieng Jen’s circumstances were taken into account.
Chong Hong Hien added that the credibility of the State Assembly depended on transparent decision-making and accountability, particularly when disciplinary measures could affect an elected representative’s ability to scrutinise government actions on behalf of the people.
