AG drops charges against Suaram activist
Yip Ai TsinPublished: Jan 18, 2010 10:24 AM | Updated: Jan 18, 2010 10:52 AM
After a public outcry, the attorney-general’s chambers (AG) has dropped charges against human rights activist Cheng Lee Whee, in relation to a disputed eviction of squatters in Johor in 2008.
After a public outcry, the attorney-general’s chambers (AG) has dropped charges against human rights activist Cheng Lee Whee, in relation to a disputed eviction of squatters in Johor in 2008.
Deputy head of prosecution Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria informed Suaram of this in a letter last week. Cheng is a member of the human rights watchdog.
"After taking into consideration the issues that arose and the facts of the case, we have decided to relinquish all charges against the accused," he said in the letter dated Jan 11.
This followed a memorandum submitted to the AG’s chambers by a group of 35 NGOs and political parties last year, according to the letter.
On Oct 16, 2008, Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah residents were evicted and their houses demolished. Cheng, 27, was detained overnight after filing a police report on the incident.
She was later charged under Section 182 of the Penal Code for providing ‘false information’.
Cheng was then arrested under Section 28 of the Internal Security Act 1960 for allegedly spreading false information and making seditious remarks on a police portal.
Contacted today, Cheng cautioned that she and her lawyer Hassan Karim have yet to receive an official letter from the AG’s chambers.
"With regard to the matter, the AG’s chambers had only sent a response to Suaram's office in Kuala Lumpur and not to us," she said.
Cheng said that she is hopeful that the status will be confirmed when the case is heard at the Johor Bahru Magistrate’s Court on Jan 25.
Expressing happiness however, she added: “This is a victory for the people. It proves that people power prevails.”
Deputy head of prosecution Mohamad Hanafiah Zakaria informed Suaram of this in a letter last week. Cheng is a member of the human rights watchdog."After taking into consideration the issues that arose and the facts of the case, we have decided to relinquish all charges against the accused," he said in the letter dated Jan 11.
This followed a memorandum submitted to the AG’s chambers by a group of 35 NGOs and political parties last year, according to the letter.
On Oct 16, 2008, Kampung Baru Plentong Tengah residents were evicted and their houses demolished. Cheng, 27, was detained overnight after filing a police report on the incident.
She was later charged under Section 182 of the Penal Code for providing ‘false information’.
Cheng was then arrested under Section 28 of the Internal Security Act 1960 for allegedly spreading false information and making seditious remarks on a police portal.
Contacted today, Cheng cautioned that she and her lawyer Hassan Karim have yet to receive an official letter from the AG’s chambers."With regard to the matter, the AG’s chambers had only sent a response to Suaram's office in Kuala Lumpur and not to us," she said.
Cheng said that she is hopeful that the status will be confirmed when the case is heard at the Johor Bahru Magistrate’s Court on Jan 25.
Expressing happiness however, she added: “This is a victory for the people. It proves that people power prevails.”
View Comments0