Attorney-General Tommy Thomas has explained the prosecution’s decision to drop two additional charges related to the Liberation of Tamil Tigers Eelam(LTTE) against a DAP assemblyperson.
He pointed out that P Gunasekaran is already facing similar charges, where he could face life imprisonment upon conviction.
“So, there is no need for an overkill. It is, therefore, a lie to claim that all charges against Gunasekaran were dropped,” he told Malaysiakini this afternoon.
“However, nothing stops us from charging him again down the road,” he added.
Thomas noted that Gunasekaran was among the 12 accused charged last month in different Sessions Courts nationwide under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) for their alleged involvement in wanting to revive the LTTE.
“Gunasekaran was charged in both the Sessions Court in Ayer Keroh, Malacca, and Kuala Lumpur.
“Yesterday, two more additional charges were supposed to be brought against him under the same Sosma provision at the Seremban High Court.
“So, we discontinued this because he is already facing (similar) charges,” he added.
Yesterday, Gunasekaran’s lawyer RSN Rayer told Malaysiakini that the prosecution made an e-filing to bring two new charges against his client at the Seremban Sessions Court.
“But the prosecution informed that they would not be proceeding with the charges.
“So I told them the proper way to withdraw the charges is in open court, and they applied to the presiding judge to withdraw the charges,” he added.
Following this, Sessions Court judge Madihah Harullah allowed the application submitted by DPP Aslinda Ahad.
According to the aborted charges, the Seremban Jaya assemblyperson allegedly had LTTE-related items in his office and house in Seremban at 9.58am and 11.50am, respectively, on Oct 10.
However, Gunasekaran would remain behind bars as he has been denied bail for his earlier charges.
After the fresh charges were dropped, Umno leaders questioned if DAP leaders were given preferential treatment compared to others detained in relation to terrorism.
“Why does the AG have double-standards for suspects in the LTTE case that involves prosecution under Sosma compared to those who have been arrested, charged and punished for lesser offences?
“Is it because those arrested this time are leaders and DAP supporters?” asked Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Apart from Gunasekaran, another DAP assemblyperson G Saminathan was also arrested and charged in connection with the case. – Malaysiakini