Rare opposition victory in a Malaysian court

On Saturday morning, the the Kuching High Court ruled against the Sarawak state assembly’s decision to disqualify Dr Ting Tiong Choon as an assemblyman.

Dr Ting is a member of the opposition Chinese-led party, the Democratic Action Party (DAP).

Judge Datuk Douglas Christo Primus Sikayun had ruled that the state assembly was not a competent forum to decide on the membership of Dr Ting, as prescribed by Article 118 of the Federal Constitution.

Article 118 provides that the election of a Member of Parliament or state assemblyman can only be challenged via an election petition to the High Court.

In his ruling, he said that Dr Ting was not disqualified and was entitled to remain as an elected assemblyman.

Dr Ting had lost the Pujut seat after he was removed by the Sarawak legislative assembly on May 12 for holding dual citizenship in Australia and Malaysia.

It is a rare win for the Malaysian opposition in a Malaysian court, indeed!

The opposition has lost almost all cases dealing with various issues brought against government agencies and government figure heads.