DAP Pulau Tikus assemblyperson Koay Teng Hai, who defied orders from his superiors not to travel to the United States during the recent sitting of the state legislative assembly, survived the Sandy storm in that country.

However, Koay was called up by the DAP immediately after his return, to attend a state working committee meeting last night to explain himself.

NONE "I admit my mistake and explained everything to the state working committee yesterday evening," Koay ( left ) told a press conference in Komtar today.

"All I can do now is wait for the decision of the disciplinary committee," he added after announcing the annual Cleaning Gurney 2012 Programme to be held at Gurney Drive from 630am to 11am on Sunday.

Koay, a first-term elected representative, was found to have breached party discipline by travelling to the US for the International Visitors Programme, organised by the US Embassy for young politicians from Oct 29 to Nov 16.

Leave rejected twice

Koay's leave application was rejected twice by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, as his presence was needed for voting on a constitutional amendment to pass the anti-hopping law on Nov 1.

Koay, who is a state DAP committee member, said he also met up with Lim, the party's secretary-general, and explained the matter to him.

But the 40 year-old assemblyperson refused to divulge the details of the meeting, nor what Lim had conveyed to him.

State DAP secretary Ng Wei Aik had told reporters earlier that Lim was "extremely upset" with Koay's conduct.

"That is what he said. I cannot comment," was Koay's response.

Hopes for a lenient punishment

"Whatever can be revealed in public has been said by Ng, who is also Lim's political secretary," said Koay, a former Penang DAP secretary.

Asked if he was worried or fearful of the decision (which may go against him), Koay said "yes", and as to whether he hoped for a lenient punishment, he replied, "of course".

At a press conference at the state DAP headquarters earlier today, Ng had said Koay may either be reprimanded, suspended or expelled.

The state working committee's preliminary findings, Ng added, would be sent to the disciplinary committee, headed by Tan Kok Wai, tomorrow.

Pulau Tikus rep breached party discipline over US trip