A DAP candidate has asked Kuching City South Mayor Chan Seng Khai to apply for unpaid leave for himself for the duration of the state election.

Otherwise, he is using taxpayers' money to pay for his salary, DAP Batu Lintang candidate Voon Lee Shan (pic) said today.

Chan in defending the Batu Lintang seat which he first won in 1991. Voon is his sole challenger for the seat.

"If the mayor does not apply for unpaid leave, then he should only carry out his campaign after office hours and continue with his duties as Kuching South mayor as usual during office hours.

"He is the mayor and has the responsibility to look after affairs and work flow in the council and he cannot simply run away from his office during office hours to campaign for himself," Voon asserted.

The DAP challenger was responding to press reports today which said that Chan is now stationed in his campaign operation room until he has to take his meals there.

"While we do not know whether he is doing it outside office hours, Chan Seng Khai should be carrying out his responsibilities as Kuching City South mayor as usual as he will still be paid his full salary as mayor during the campaign period if he does not apply from unpaid leave from the council", said Voon.

Right to report

The DAP candidate added that "in the principle of accountability and transparency, and as taxpayers, Batu Lintang voters have the right to question him on this issue".

"I reserve the right to lodge a report against the mayor if he fails to prove his unpaid leave application or if he is seen running his own campaign outside his office during office hours", he added.

Chan, the son of Kuching Supp stalwart Chan Siaw Hee, has been the mayor of Kuching City South since 1996. He took over from the popular Song Swee Guan who was appointed Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly that year.

Voon, a police officer-turned-lawyer, is contesting the Batu Lintang state seat for the first time. He vied for the neighbouring Pending seat in the 2001 election but was defeated.