In a first case of its kind, a Kuching-based practising lawyer and a former police chief inspector, Voon Lee Shan, 49, was yesterday charged in the Samarahan Magistrate's Court for harbouring or concealing his client, who was a murder suspect, two and a half years ago.

Voon, who is also the DAP Sarawak political education bureau chairperson, pleaded not guilty to the charge before magistrate Zulkiple Abdullah. He was released on a RM3,000 bail with one surety.

Voon was charged with harbouring or concealing a then murder suspect on July 11, 2000 at 11.15am in the vicinity of the Kota Samarahan district office, with an intention of preventing him from being apprehended.

The offence is punishable under Section 216 of the Penal Code and carries a maximum seven years jail and fine if found guilty.

Defence counsel Chong Siew Chiang, who is also a former state assemblyperson and DAP Sarawak legal adviser, is submitting preliminary objections against the "duplicity of the charge" this morning.

He said his client could only be charged either for harbouring or concealing, and not both.

Watching brief

Chong was assisted by lawyer Roger Chin. Senior federal counsel Mahmud Haji Abdullah appeared for the prosecution.

The courtroom yesterday was filled with lawyers. Sim Thong Poh was holding a watching brief for the Sarawak Advocates Association (SAA). SAA secretary Kilat Beriak said this was because the case may have a bearing on the profession.

Voon, who stood unsuccessfully on a DAP ticket in the last state elections in the Pending state constituency, was presented with a bouquet of flowers by a supporter when he stepped out of the Magistrate's Court after posting bail.

The lawyer told malaysiakini that he had a rude shock to be issued with a warrant of arrest in connection with a case in which he applied successfully to release his client from remand two and a half years ago.

"The police went to my legal firm (to serve the warrant of arrest), but I was not in. Later, when I heard about it, I surrendered myself to the police station," he said.

Voon served nearly 18 years in the police force and retired early at the age of 45 to set up his own law practice in Kuching.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini's correspondent in Kuching.