Home Coalitions Clean and Fair Elections Bersih 2.0 calls for independent and just trial for Lim and Phang

Bersih 2.0 calls for independent and just trial for Lim and Phang

Guan Eng arrives in court - Photograph: themalaymailonline.com

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Bersih 2.0 is shocked over the arrest of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. He is being charged under section 23 and section 165 of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act.

We also have grave concerns over the arrest of businesswoman, Phang Li Koon.

We are aware that throughout the investigation carried out by the MACC, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has given his utmost support.

There is, therefore, no need to arrest nor for the intimidating heavy presence of MACC and police officers at Komtar. Instead, the MACC could have issued an order for the chief minister and Phang to be present in court.

The statement made by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, that the arrest shows DAP is not clean, was uncalled for as he had prejudged the case publicly before it even went to trial.

The rule of thumb is that both of them are innocent until proven guilty.

The manner in which Lim was arrested reflects selective prosecution as there are many other cases on corruption which have not been dealt with nor with such speed. The major cases involve the 1MDB scandal, including a revelation by Switzerland’s chief prosecutor that about US$4bn (RM16.6bn) appeared to have been misappropriated from Malaysian state companies.

Others include the SRC scandal and the fact that Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Najib Razak was accused of channelling over RM2.67bn (nearly US$700m) from 1MDB, a government-run strategic development company, to his personal bank accounts. Investigations into all these cases are still pending for more than two years.

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While Bersih 2.0 believes that the case should be brought to the court and Lim will then be able to respond publicly, we also want to throw caution to the court. We strongly urge the judge to show his or her independence and fairness when delivering justice in the case.

Bersih 2.0 Steering Committee

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
  1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
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Van Cleef Lee
2 Jul 2016 1.41am

In Malaysia…….the Palace of Justice…….is called … ! ! !……..Will Lim Guan Eng……..be able to get an Independent Judge ? ? ?……….Let me check with Chua Soi Lek first ! ! !

Edmund Patrick
1 Jul 2016 6.05pm

Not possible!!! Everything points to “”… action”

Charles Joseph
30 Jun 2016 6.54pm

Sickening… Disgusting…. PAthetic… When will all this crap end..??

Patricia Anne Martinez
30 Jun 2016 5.33pm

sigh. my thought “fat chance”. In no way meant to deny or denigrate what BERSIH 2.0 ask. But as a Malaysia beyond frustrated and depressed about the sheer lunacy that reigns, and the ensuing anarchy

P.w. Wong
30 Jun 2016 5.05pm

I am not optimistic !!!

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