He was asked to leave the state legislative assembly after he refused to tuck in his shirt. He explained later the stunt was a sign of protest against the ban imposed on a ‘rival’ colleague from the opposition.

Dominique Ng (PKR-Padungan) was ejected from the Sarawak state assembly on Wednesday by Speaker Asfia Awang Nassar for showing disrespect to the House with his inappropriate dress code. He did not tuck in his shirt.

Ng, PKR’s sole state assembly rep in Sarawak, thought his gesture would mend some fences with Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) in their well-known acrimonious relationship. But he was wrong.

star report on dominic ng rapped for not tucking in shirt in sarawak state assembly 071108 At the start of Wednesday’s session, many among the 71 state assemblypersons and the media covering the sitting noticed something strange with the way Ng dressed - he did not tuck his shirt in.

In his complaint to the speaker that morning, Julaihi Narawi (BN-Sebuyau) said Ng had failed to observe decorum and shown disrespect to the House. He asked Asfia to take action against Ng.

In defending himself, Ng said he was not embarrassed for dressing that way as it was to protest against the suspension of Chong.

Chong was suspended by the assembly in May for refusing to withdraw certain words against Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud. His ban is for the duration of the current assembly sitting.

Local newspapers also published photographs of Ng without his shirt being tucked in.

Show of ingratitude

When Chong was asked by reporters for his comment, he made it clear that he was not impressed by Ng’s stunt.

chong chieng jen A disappointed Ng told Malaysiakini today that “it was a symbolic protest against Chong’s suspension but for all my sacrifices and support, he (Chong) still has unkind words to say and this, I consider “ingratitude”.

He said he did not expect Chong to attack him.

“I was surprised by his unnecessary and unprovoked attack on me, saying that I am not sincere in my action and that if I want to be sincere, I should have shown it inside the House.

“Goodness! I spoke out both inside and outside the dewan! We should not be petty and narrow-minded. We have far bigger and more important common interests to pursue,” Ng said.

Asked what actually happened on Wednesday, Ng explained that he was fully and properly dressed with black jacket, tie, white shirt and long black pants, black shoes and socks.

“Only the shirt was not tucked in. The speaker didn’t even hear me out but chased me out!” he said.