C4 and Suaram urge govt to lift ban on lawyer in Scorpene probe

KUALA LUMPUR: Civil rights group Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4) and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) have urged the government to lift the ban on French lawyer William Bourdon to assist the judicial inquiry on the Scorpene scandal.
"This move would enable him to enter Malaysia and advise the government, in particular, the Minister of Defence on the latest development of the case, the next course of action, and steps to be taken to ensure that the case proceeds without a hitch in the French court.

"We informed the Defence Ministry that the French lawyer acting for Suaram, William Bourdon is making arrangements to come to Malaysia and meet with the Defence Minister to discuss how the new Malaysian government can extend its cooperation in moving the French inquiry forward.
" C4 Center and Suaram also handed over a report titled 'Report on the Scorpene Corruption Scandal' to the Defence Minister.
"It is noteworthy that the case is still ongoing in the French Court and it is only a matter of time that the proceeding is moved to a higher court where those involved will be prosecuted," they said in a joint statement today.
They also urged for Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to lift the ban placed on Bourdon.
They went on to applaud Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu's recent statement on the government's commitment to meet Bourdon to facilitate the judicial inquiry.
"This move is in consonance with Malaysia's international obligation under articles 43 and 44 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). Articles 43 and 44 of the UNCAC imposes an obligation on Malaysia to cooperate with other state parties in the fight against corruption," they added.