Troubled Sabah politician Yong Teck Lee must "accept reality" and not gloss over the loss of his Likas seat that he has brought on himself, according to Malaysia Democratic Party (MDP) Sabah head Fung Ket Wing.

As a lawyer and with his vast experience in politics he should have realised election court decisions are not appealable, Fung said.

Last week, the Sabah legislative assembly quickly followed up on an election court's final decision that has led to his disqualification in continuing as an assembly representative as well as the member of parliament for Gaya.

Yong, 44, a former chief minister and president of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), in an immediate reaction to state assembly speaker Hassan Alban Sandukong, publicly accused some state Barisan Nasional leaders of being too hasty in declaring the Likas seat vacant.

There will be no by-election, so the constituency will be without a representative until after the next state elections not scheduled until at least 16 months from now.

Fung, a former Democratic Action Party(DAP) member of parliament, was quoted in a local English language daily The Daily Express as saying he felt sorry for Yong.

Deprived of a rep

"But with his legal background and vast experience he should have realised that any decision of the Election Court is not appealable."

"As such, when Yong lost his case in the Election Court for alleged corrupt practice in the 1999 state election, he should have accepted the decision gracefully and allowed a by-election to be held, giving Barisan Nasional (BN) a chance to retain the seat.'

"Instead Yong chose to drag on the case, resulting in BN losing the seat and the constituents now deprived of a representative because the current term of the state assembly is less than two years," Fung was quoted as saying.

Fung described the assembly speaker's decision in declaring the seat vacant as "auguring well and inspiring confidence among the opposition that the same treatment applies to all politicians."

Meanwhile, in responding to Yong's comments, the speaker was quoted as saying that his Wednesday's announcement on Yong's status as Likas assemblyperson was made to avoid speculation.

"An announcement has to be made to avoid speculation...we also must let it be known that a by-election need not be held after the Likas seat becomes vacant so that there is no scramble for the seat," he added.

In this matter, a decision must be made...making a decision is better than not making a decision.'

Pardon not mentioned

Meanwhile, SAPP secretary-general Richard Yong was quoted as saying that Yong has yet to inform the party of his next course of action. He added that Yong had not mentioned anything about submitting a petition for a royal pardon.

A party leader, Frankie Chong came out with a statement asking members "to remain calm", saying Yong's loss of the state assembly seat would not jeopardise his position as party president.

He said inspite of losing his Likas seat Yong would still continue with the community services in several areas.

The SAPP liaison committee in Labuan Federal Territory came out to show continuing support forYong in spite of the latest developments.

"We have full confidence in the leadership of Yong and are sure that he would bounce back from the setback and until such time we will remain behind him," said its vice chairman, Ronnie Tan.

He said the question of Yong being no longer an assemblyman has no effect on its loyalty towards SAPP and Yong.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini correspondent in Kuching, Sarawak.