MCA state assemblyman for Titi Tinggi Yip Sun Onn has resigned from his post with immediate effect, paving the way for a possible by-election in Perlis.
As reports filtered in about Barisan Nasional and MCA leaders frantically trying to get him to reconsider his decision, opposition stalwart Lim Kit Siang warned them about the legal repercussions.
Describing the resignation as a “political bombshell”, the veteran DAP leader also stressed on the existence of a “legal bombshell” in the equation.
“Yip’s letter of resignation cannot be retracted or it could be challenged in a court of law.
“Various parties, including the speaker (Yazid Mat), Perlis Menteri Besar Md Isa Sabu and Perlis MCA chief Chew Mei Fun are trying to persuade Yip to reconsider his resignation.
“But this is too late. Once Yip’s resignation letter had been received by the speaker, it cannot be retracted.
“If Yip tries to do so, his status as a state assemblyman could be challenged in a court of law, as Yip would be an unlawful state assemblyman from the date of his resignation and the speaker would be acting unlawfully in allowing the resignation letter to be retracted,” he said.
Removed from state exco
The MCA state assemblyman's shock resignation comes just ahead of the MCA elections, slated for March 28.
Speculation is rife that Yip decided to quit after seeing red over his removal from the state executive council last week.
He was replaced with Indera Kayangan state assemblyman Dr Por Choo Chor, who is also the state MCA secretary.
According to media reports, Md Isa confirmed receiving Yip's resignation letter.
Md Isa was quoted as saying that they are now “coaxing” the MCA rep to reconsider his decision and is confident that a by-election will not be called.
Reports also quoted the speaker stating that Yip had noted in his resignation letter that he was disappointed with certain party leaders.
Malay-majority seat
If Yip remains steadfast in his decision, the Election Commission will have to call for a by-election within 60 days.
The Titi Tinggi state constituency is a Malay-majority seat which has 7,830 voters, 73.52% Malays, 23.2% Chinese, 2.8% Indians and 0.59% others.
In the March 2008 general election, the MCA rep defeated PKR's Keria Senawi and independent candidate Mohammad Radzi Mustaffa with a 1,841 majority.
Perlis, which is the smallest state in the country, has 15 state seats. PAS has two –Simpang Empat and Sanglang.
FMT
24/03/10
As reports filtered in about Barisan Nasional and MCA leaders frantically trying to get him to reconsider his decision, opposition stalwart Lim Kit Siang warned them about the legal repercussions.
Describing the resignation as a “political bombshell”, the veteran DAP leader also stressed on the existence of a “legal bombshell” in the equation.
“Yip’s letter of resignation cannot be retracted or it could be challenged in a court of law.
“Various parties, including the speaker (Yazid Mat), Perlis Menteri Besar Md Isa Sabu and Perlis MCA chief Chew Mei Fun are trying to persuade Yip to reconsider his resignation.
“But this is too late. Once Yip’s resignation letter had been received by the speaker, it cannot be retracted.
“If Yip tries to do so, his status as a state assemblyman could be challenged in a court of law, as Yip would be an unlawful state assemblyman from the date of his resignation and the speaker would be acting unlawfully in allowing the resignation letter to be retracted,” he said.
Removed from state exco
The MCA state assemblyman's shock resignation comes just ahead of the MCA elections, slated for March 28.
Speculation is rife that Yip decided to quit after seeing red over his removal from the state executive council last week.
He was replaced with Indera Kayangan state assemblyman Dr Por Choo Chor, who is also the state MCA secretary.
According to media reports, Md Isa confirmed receiving Yip's resignation letter.
Md Isa was quoted as saying that they are now “coaxing” the MCA rep to reconsider his decision and is confident that a by-election will not be called.
Reports also quoted the speaker stating that Yip had noted in his resignation letter that he was disappointed with certain party leaders.
Malay-majority seat
If Yip remains steadfast in his decision, the Election Commission will have to call for a by-election within 60 days.
The Titi Tinggi state constituency is a Malay-majority seat which has 7,830 voters, 73.52% Malays, 23.2% Chinese, 2.8% Indians and 0.59% others.
In the March 2008 general election, the MCA rep defeated PKR's Keria Senawi and independent candidate Mohammad Radzi Mustaffa with a 1,841 majority.
Perlis, which is the smallest state in the country, has 15 state seats. PAS has two –Simpang Empat and Sanglang.
FMT
24/03/10
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