Paul Yong: State, not party, has a say on resumption of duty

IPOH: The decision to resume duty as the state executive council member is purely a state government matter and does not concern the party, says Paul Yong Choo Kiong.

The Perak Housing, Local Government, Public Transportation, Non-Muslim Affairs and New Villages Committee chairman said he only needed the green light from the Mentri Besar or the state, and not anyone else.

“Legally speaking, there’s no need for instructions from the party.

“Government is government, party is party, ” he told reporters when met on the sidelines during the state assembly sitting here on Monday (Nov 18).

“To make a decision, do I need to ask my party? There are four parties, do I need to get all four?, ” he asked.

Yong also said DAP chairman Tan Kok Wai had congratulated him over the decision.

“Shouldn’t the state party also be happy for me, ” he said.

Yong was asked to comment on an audio clip, purportedly the voice of a state DAP leader who criticised Yong’s decision to resume official duties that have surfaced on social media.

In the 19-second clip, which was in Mandarin, the leader was heard denouncing Yong for making the decision without the party’s permission.

The Tronoh assemblyman had resumed duties during the first day of the Perak state assembly sitting.

On Friday (Nov 15), during the first day of the assembly sitting, Yong resumed his official duties, despite stating in August that he was taking leave to concentrate on the rape case against him

Yong said the decision was made after discussions with Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

On Aug 23 this year, Yong pleaded not guilty to a charge of raping a maid at a house in Meru Desa Park between 8.15pm and 9.15pm on July 7.