Kota Kinabalu: Controversy surrounds the supposed legal qualifications of Pakatan Harapan’s Api-Api candidate Thonny Chee
(pic), especially as to whether he is, indeed, a lawyer as claimed.
When approached by Daily Express to confirm whether it is a smear campaign in social media by rivals or otherwise, Thonny said he preferred not to comment for the moment.
Advertisement
PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Election Director Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution both reportedly referred to Thonny, 45, as a lawyer during public announcements and campaign walkabouts.
Daily Express received calls from the public and some lawyers urging Thonny to be transparent on the matter.
“He should produce his law degree and from which university and supporting evidence as to whether he is a member of the Malaysian Bar, Sarawak Bar or Sabah Bar,” said a leading lawyer.
They said if, indeed, he was mistakenly referred to as being a lawyer, then he should have immediately corrected it.
Thonny’s campaign profile on the PKR website lists a career in various fields, including as a manager at several banks in KK (HSBC in 2007, Asst Manager Bank Bumiputra Commerce Bhd in 2005 and American International Group), Director of Institut Latihan Kemahiran Malaysia, and most recently, CEO of the Sabah Tourism Board subsidiary, Sri Pelancongan Sabah.
He is involved in a five-cornered fight for the seat. Star Sabah’s Ting Shu Kiong is a certified lawyer, Warisan’s Loi Kok Liang is an insurance dealer, Kandrix Ng from Parti Impian Sabah is a contractor with background in tourism and Parti Bumi Kenyalang’s Soh Kee Suat previously served as an aide to local assemblymen and as private secretary to former Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat.
