KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) vice-president Frankie Chong, who is also State Deputy Speaker, would continue his service in the State Legislative Assembly.

In a statement here Friday (19 Sept), Chong said he had met with State Speaker Juhar Mahirudin Thursday (18 Sept) to seek clarification on his position as deputy speaker after SAPP decided to leave the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition on Tuesday (16 Sept).

"The decision of the SAPP Supreme Council is that all leaders and members having political appointments under the executive branch of the government have to resign. However, the instruction to resign does not involve the legislature.

"The Speaker informed me that in accordance with the State Constitution and the law, my position as deputy speaker is not affected. The appointment of deputy speaker is by the Tuan Yang Terutama Yang Dipertua Negeri Sabah under Article 15A of the State Constitution," he said.

Chong said he would continue to serve in the State Assembly with fairness and professionalism.

"I thank the Speaker for giving me the assurance that he has no problem working with me in discharging my duty in the State Assembly," he said. (Bernama)