Media Statement by Lim Kit Siang

(Petaling Jaya, 24 August 99, Tuesday): The application by former Malacca Chief Minister, Tan Sri Rahim Tamby Cik for an interim injunction for a blanket ban on the DAP from making any statement, speech or reference to the scandal of the 14-year-old girl has been postponed to September 27 for a full hearing.

I am surprised by Rahim’s defamation suit against the DAP, DAP Chairman Dr. Chen Man Hin and myself that we have defamed him, whether in the DAP’s "Support, Sympathy and Solidarity (SSS) with Lim Guan Eng" campaign posters or the book "Lim Guan Eng - MP in Jail - Second Edition: Malaysian Dream from Kajang Prison", by using words that "in their natural and ordinary meaning and/or by inference" meant that Rahim committed the criminal offence of statutory rape. had an intimate relationship with a schoolgirl. Is guilty of engaging in an illicit and unlawful extramarital sexual relationship with an underaged girl.

Is not a good Muslim.

Is and was at all material times a person who is unfit for holding public office.

Is and was at all material times a person who is unfit for business or professional relationships; and acquired his property through unlawful or corrupt means.

I am not aware that the SSS campaign posters or the book "Lim Guan Eng - MP in Jail - Second Edition: Malaysian Dream from Kajang Prison" had made any inference, direct or indirect, that Rahim had "acquired his property through unlawful or corrupt means".

What is significant, however, is the fourth police report lodged by former Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on 20th August 1999 that the Anti-Corruption Agency and the Attorney-General’s Chambers had concluded in 1994 after investigations that there was prima facie case to prosecute Rahim for corruption and abuse of power under Section 21(2) of the Emergency Ordinance 22 (1970) when he was Malacca Chief Minister for the following grounds:

As Chairman of the Committee on the Sub-Division of Land, Malacca, he approved an application by Syarikat Dayamik for subdivision of Lot 902 without declaring his interest in the company. He approved an application by Syarikat Dayamik to change the conditions for Lot 1727. He did not declare his wealth as directed by the ACA and the Attorney-General’s Chambers. He made a false declaration to the Prime Minister regarding his wealth, which is an offence under Section 199 of the Penal Code (FMS Cap.45), punishable under Section 193.

Can Rahim confirm or deny the substance of Anwar’s fourth police report on corruption and abuses of power in high political places?

In view of Anwar’s fourth police report, the former Deputy Prime Minister will undoubtedly be an important key witness if there is a full hearing as to whether Rahim had been defamed for any imputation that he had "acquired his property through unlawful or corrupt means".