Lingam case witnesses get SMS threat

Kelana Jaya MP Loh Gwo Burne and two other witnesses who had testified against prominent lawyer VK Lingam before a royal commission of inquiry last year, have received threats against their safety.

Loh and Jayanti Govindarajulu Naidu, 46 received a text-message last Sunday, while V Thirunama Karasu, 51, was mentioned in the contents which threatened them with harm.

Specifically, the message alluded to an upcoming Bar Council disciplinary hearing which is to be convened to investigate Lingam for alleged professional misconduct.

Loh had initially agreed to testify at the hearing. Jayanti, who was contacted through her lawyer, and Thirunama, who was approached through Wangsa Maju MP Wee Chee Keong, do not intend to do so.

In light of the threat, however, Loh is now reconsidering his decision pending an assurance of his safety by the Bar Council.

All three lodged separate police reports at the Kelana Jaya police station in Selangor this morning.

In the police report, they cited the text-message which reads:

U r playing with fire. Do u no who Vincent tan is? Kill overnight and leaves no trace. A man with b. Do u no who vkl is? Can do wonders and d police cover up. Do u no who d judges re. They presidedin dsai’s case and bull shited. Do u all still want 2 go ahead and witness d bar council in their disciplinary care. Try and before that yr dates will be fixed. I am watching yr movement and I no where you people live. The choice is yours. Dont F*** around.

Thirunama we hv attempted to get you not once but a few times, hv failed. It will not fail this time. Jayanti. U hv been hiding, we know but you will be our first choice. Burne. Do you want another by election in kelana jaya. wow this will be interesting. Do you know what happen to teoh beng hock. It has not left any trace. This is the same thing which will happen.

Loh was the person who recorded the infamous Lingam tape, which showed the lawyer speaking on the phone to former top judge Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim. Lingam has since claimed he was “bullshitting and bragging”.

Jayanti was Lingam’s former secretary, while Thirunama Karasu is Lingam’s estranged brother. Their revelations had stunned the nation at the inquiry.

Threat taken seriously

Loh said he has received threats before but that he has decided to take this one seriously because it shows “considerable effort on the part of the perpetrator”.

He said the sender had managed to get the phone number for Jayanti, although shas been keeping a low profile and moving around since the findings of the royal panel were made public.

In addition, the person had claimed responsibility for the well-documented harassment of Thirunama.

Loh added that, unless the authorities take appropriate action, this may deter witnesses from coming forward in future.

Thirunama, who was present, said “witnesses go through hell” and called for counselling to be provided.

Jayanti stressed that “security is important,” so that witnesses have peace of mind and do not have to worry about their safety and that of their loved ones.

Loh, a former businessman, turned to politics after the inquiry. He joined PKR and defeated MCA’s Lee Hwa Beng in the contest for the Kelana Jaya parliamentary seat.