(Petaling Jaya, Saturday): The Chief Justice should reconsider the applicaton for a nine-man bench to hear Lim Guan Eng’s appeal against conviction and sentence for offences under the Sedition Act and the Printing Presses and Publications Act at the Federal Court on August 24.
Forty non-government organisations, including ABIM, Aliran, Suaram, JUST, MTUC, TENAGANITA, AWAM, Perak Consumers’ Association, COAC have expressed their disappointment and grave concern at the rejection of Guan Eng’s application for a nine-man bench at the Federal Court hearing on August 24, in view of the importance of the case and its far-reaching public policy implications.
Malaysians are convinced that Guan Eng is a victim of selective prosecution. On August 24, it is not only Guan Eng who will be on trial, the system of justice in Malaysia will also be on trial - not only in the eyes of Malaysians, but also in the eyes of the world.
The Chief Justice should reconsider Guan Eng’s application to allow a nine-man bench in the Federal Court appellate hearing of Guan Eng’s case on August 24.
(15/8/98)