MELBOURNE: The man who killed heart surgeon Victor Chang should be able to attend his daughter’s wedding after New South Wales (NSW) State Attorney-General Greg Smith decided not to appeal a Supreme Court ruling that allowed the Malaysian to go free on parole.
A NSW Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed an attempt by the NSW state government to delay the parole of Liew Chiew Seng who shot dead Dr Chang in 1991 in Sydney.
Smith said yesterday that he had decided not to appeal the ruling, which upheld an earlier decision to grant Liew parole.
“I’ve carefully considered the judgment and decided not to appeal against it,” he said in a statement.
He commended the “strength of character and dignity of the Chang family during this very difficult time”.
Liew is due to be handed over to immigration authorities who will arrange his deportation to Malaysia, which is likely to be on Monday.
Liew’s daughter, Liew Kwei Fei, told Australian Associated Press from Malaysia on Thursday that she was hoping her father would be released to be home in time for her wedding on Oct 20.
“I hope he can be at my side when I get married,” she said.
Liew’s family in Malaysia is said to be ecstatic at news of his release and they are planning a family reunion with the 69-year-old.
He is suffering from Parkinson’s disease and the parole authority was told earlier this year that time may be running out for him to leave Australia before he could no longer travel safely.
Liew has served 21 years of his maximum 26 years’ jail term for shooting Dr Chang in 1991. — Bernama