KUCHING: Advocates’ Association of Sarawak (AAS) has lodged a police report yesterday afternoon in respect to the online video clip ‘Inside Malaysia’s Shadow Cabinet’ to enable the police to investigate its contents and to take further action in the event there is basis for criminal infractions.
The association will also refer the two lawyers implicated in the video to the Advocates Inquiry Committee, an independent disciplinary body separate from the AAS, to conduct an inquiry into possible instances of professional misconduct under laws and regulations governing the legal profession in Sarawak.
This was revealed in an AAS official press statement yesterday.
The AAS central committee convened a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the serious questions that have been raised following the online release of a video by an international NGO, Global Witness, which features recorded conversations with two lawyers among other things discussing matters on illegal means to circumvent the operation of Malaysian laws.
As resolved at the meeting, the AAS lodged a police report yesterday.
The AAS statement said that the Inquiry Committee was a statutory body established under the Advocates (Inquiry Committee) Rules 1988 with its panel members consisting of senior advocates appointed by the Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak.
AAS president Khairil Azmi Mohd Hasbie was quoted as saying: “The matter is now in the capable hands of the relevant authorities. Until investigations are concluded and more facts come to light, AAS advises the public to allow the law to take its course and to refrain from speculation.”
In Sibu, meanwhile, one of the lawyers who appeared in the same video clip yesterday held a press conference.
Huang Lung Ong distributed an unsigned press statement to reporters in the presence of an estate agent Jacky Ling.
The statement reads: “In relation to the video clip published by Global Witness regarding purported land dealing, I wish to emphasise that those parts of the content which implicated the name of Datuk Hii Yu Peng has nothing to do with him whatsoever. He has no knowledge of this purported transaction.
“I acted on the instruction of estate agent Jacky Ling to provide legal consultation to Jacky Ling and Andy Stewart who claimed to be an investor and to safeguard Jacky’s remuneration of 10 per cent which is to be paid up-front upon successful sale.
Huang in a SMS later to reporters who attended his press conference added: “I have lodged police report for investigation.”
The video which had a view hit of 428,630 with 1,367 comments as at 8.30pm yesterday also incorporated a summary of the comments from both lawyers at the end of the clip.
Alvin Chong and Partners told Global witness:
“We categorically deny our Mr Chong acted as legal spokesperson for the alleged party.
“We deny any discussions to allegedly evade tax and if there were any purported discussions, these were strictly hypothetical.”
While Huang Lung Ong told Global Witness: “I have never been appointed by Hii Yii Peng as his solicitors… I have no knowledge how Hii Yii Peng obtained the asset or that there is a kickback.
“Your allegations are untrue and not within my knowledge to answer.”