Yong refuses to go on leave

IPOH: Despite being charged with raping his 23-year-old Indonesian maid and fresh calls for him to go on leave, Paul Yong Choo Kiong insists on continuing with his duties as a Perak executive councillor.

Yong, who is in charge of the Housing, Local Government, Public Transport, Non-Islamic and Village Affairs Committee, is adamant about continuing on even after Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu advised him on Thursday to take leave from his official duties until the rape trial is completed.

After Yong was charged yesterday, Perak Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Saarani Mohamed said it was common practice for an accused to go on leave to allow the legal process to be upheld.

“I believe this has also always been their (DAP’s) stand. They have often asked those being brought to court to let go of their positions or go on leave.

“But I doubt he will do so, just like Lim Guan Eng when he was charged with corruption,” he said.

In his statement on Thursday, Ahmad Faizal noted that in respect of the legal process, Yong should not take part in any meetings that involved decision-making in the interim.

Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) executive director Cynthia Gabriel urged Yong to step down, adding that he could use his position to exert undue influence on potential witnesses and tamper with investigations.

“We understand that someone is innocent until proven guilty, but he should do the decent thing and step aside, until his name is cleared,” she said.

When met outside the court, Yong said he had not been convicted and would continue to serve as an exco member and his state constituency.

“Why should I stop? Why should I take leave? I am not a criminal.

“I am still an exco member, elected by the people, and I represent them.

“I need to perform my mandate as given by the people,” he said.

Earlier, at the Sessions Court, Yong, who is Tronoh assemblyman, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read out under Section 376 of the Penal Code.

“I understand and deny any wrongdoing,” he said before judge Norashima Khalid.

Clad in a grey suit, Yong, 49, had a team of lawyers which included Malim Nawar assemblyman Leong Cheok Keng, Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, Jelutong MP RSN Rayer and Farhan Sapian.

According to the charge sheet, the Perak DAP treasurer allegedly committed the offence in a room at the top floor of his house in Meru Desa Park here between 8.15pm and 9.15pm on July 7.

Deputy public prosecutor Azhar Mokhtar requested bail to be denied, saying that it was a non-bailable offence.

However, Ramkarpal argued that there had been rape cases that were allowed bail, and it was up to the judge’s discretion.

“Yong has given his cooperation to the police.

“If not given bail, he cannot perform his duties for his constituency and the people in Perak as he is a state exco member,” he said, adding that he could not abscond because of his duties.

Norashima set bail at RM15,000 in one surety and Sept 24 for case management.

The prosecuting team also consisted of Ainul Wardah Shahidan and Naidatul Athirah Azman.

In the morning, as Yong arrived and alighted from his car, a group of supporters called out to him: “YB, jia you!” (a Mandarin expression for “you can do it”).

Also present were his wife Too Choon Looi and DAP leaders, Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming, Ipoh Timur MP Wong Kah Woh, state exco members A. Sivanesan, Howard Lee and Wong May Ing as well as several other state assemblymen.

In George Town, DAP national organising secretary Anthony Loke said the party had not decided on any action to be taken against Yong.

“The party leadership will meet and if any action is to be taken, it will be decided by the party’s central executive committee,” said the Transport Minister when asked if Yong would be asked to go on leave.