PETALING JAYA: A group of lawyers is urging authorities to withdraw their probe of DAP veteran Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang and drop the charge against the Selangor Mentri Besar's press secretary Jay Jay Dennis.
Lawyers For Liberty (LFL) director Zaid Malek said in a statement on Wednesday (Dec 13) that the government should halt any and all investigation of Lim regarding a statement he made.
He added that the Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) should also withdraw the charge against Dennis.
"We refer to the ongoing police investigation against Lim who was called to give a statement regarding his remark that the Malaysian Constitution does not say a non-Malay cannot be prime minister.
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"We also refer to reports stating that Dennis will be charged in court over a post on X criticising Melaka Governor Tun Mohd Ali Rustam for using a police convoy while going out for a family dinner.
Zaid added that Lim's statement was accurate in accordance with the Federal Constitution and the DAP veteran was merely stating a fact.
"(Just because) some people have taken offence to the statement, (it does not) justify a criminal investigation," said Zaid.
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He also described the case against Dennis in a similar vein.
"The law confers no special status to anyone in government, whether a governor or a prime minister, to be protected against criticism," he said.
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"The protection of free speech enshrined in the Constitution serves this very purpose, and exists to ensure that all quarters are able to exercise this right.
"Thus, we urge the government to halt any and all investigation on Lim regarding his statement and for the AGC to withdraw the charge against Dennis," said Zaid.
He added that the government must stay true to its dedication to protecting freedom of speech and as such, it should ensure that the people are protected from unwarranted criminal action for the legitimate exercise of constitutional rights.
