Supporters, consisting mostly of DAP members, chanted while holding placards that called for increased accountability.
Chong, who is state DAP leader, was suspended by Speaker Awang Asfia Awang Nasar on Monday for the entire current session, which lasts until Nov 30.
Asfia suspended Chong for making “unsubstantiated allegations” regarding the state’s minor rural projects (MRP) fund tabled last year. According to Chong, RM250 million of the fund’s RM905 million total, was unaccounted for.
After the suspension, Chong told the media he had been unfairly treated for not withdrawing his questions regarding the issue.
DAP’s Pelawan assemblyman David Wong said he hoped the Sarawak Assembly was not “just for a particular party.”
“The questions Chong raised were very fair, in my opinion. If there was no (wrongdoing), all the Chief Minister had to do was ask his Second Finance Minister to answer the question as to where the money had gone.
“In this case Chong was expelled from the Dewan for actually doing what the people elected him to do, to hold the government accountable as to where the taxpayers’ money went,” Wong told reporters.
DAP assemblywoman Violet Yong meanwhile said the party felt there were too many contradictions in the replies as to the sum of the allocation.
“The answers didn’t tally. If there is nothing (no wrongdoing) and if the money is properly spent and it is utilised properly, they can just tell us. There is no need to use dirty politics to oppress the Opposition,” Yong said.
“In the end we are all state representatives who must fight for the rights of the people and protect their interests. I hope the Speaker and even the state government can practice democracy in the state assembly and not kick us out,” she said.
Meanwhile, Chong’s Special Assistant Dr Kelvin Yii told the media that the group was exercising its constitutional right to assemble peacefully and to question the government.
“We are calling (on the government) to be accountable on how public funds are spent. If the Sarawak government does not address the questions raised, there will be the perception that there is something to hide.”