Macau (MNA) -Any kind of internal disqualification of a legislator conducted by the government without the participation of public voters would be considered as “illegitimate,” suspended legislator Sulu Sou told Macau News Agency (MNA).
“The suspension of a legislator can be approved only through a vote made by the public, not a vote conducted by secret ballot within the Legislative Assembly (AL),” Sou stated clearly.
In Sou’s opinion, it is still not clear whether he will automatically have his suspension lifted after a 20-day appeal period expires on June 19.
“But I am still confident to have my seat back before this summer holiday, although it might take up to several months if the Legislative Assembly needs to vote on my return,” added Sou.
Sou was suspended from his role as a legislator through a vote by secret ballot in the AL in December 2017, so that his prosecutorial immunity could be waived and he could stand trial. This was the first time a legislator has been stripped of his duties in Macau since 1999.
In May, Sou was found guilty of unlawful assembly but received no jail time. He has been ordered to pay a fine of MOP40,800.
