By Adrian Lim
KUCHING, May 11: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) president Voon Lee Shan is appealing for public donations to assist him in funding the cost of litigation for challenging the admission of former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri David Wong who is a Sabahan to practice law in Sarawak.
Voon in a statement today said the cost of litigation for his court case is high and appealed to generous Sarawakians to help him fund the cost and token fee for his lawyers.
He explained that he filed the legal suit to challenge the decision of the Chief Judge in the High Court in Kuching on the grounds that Wong has to establish his Sarawak connections under the Sarawak Advocates Ordinance and the case is of public interest to protect Sarawak’s rights.
“David Wong is from Sabah and I do not find anything to show he has Sarawak connections that prompted me to file the suit to seek the court strike him out of the Rolls of Advocates of Sarawak.
“I consider this is a public interest case and I am to protect Sarawak right, not a busy body.
“The High Court Judge dismissed my case and I shall appeal. This case affects the livelihood of Sarawak lawyers and future generations of lawyers.
“Soon, we may see lawyers from Malaya open law firms here and we are not able to compete with them.
“This case may also affect the livelihoods of Sarawak business people because Malayans will swamp Sarawak.
“Malayan lawyers can just walk into our court, a thing that is protected under MA63,” he argued.
Voon added that if Wong would succeed in his case, it would open a gate to allow Malayans to venture into Sarawak and take the livelihood of Sarawakians away.
He disclosed that Chong Siew Chiang of Messrs Chong Brothers Advocates who represented Wong sought a cost of RM35,000 against him.
Voon added he has two more court cases similar in nature before the Court of Appeal at this juncture reprimanded him for RM10,000 and RM15,000 in High Court in Kuching which he lost.
“I shall be in deeper trouble if I may not win my appeal before the Court of Appeal or before the Federal Court.
“Justice is difficult for poor fellows and I do not have the financial means to fight the giants if the public would not rescue me.
“There are a few lawyers working for me to fight this case and we shall not stop until we reach the highest court in the land,” he added.
Voon said those who are willing to assist him can contact him through his mobile phone at 014-9688319.
Besides, the public can send donations to PBK’s party leaders consisting of life president Yu Chin Liik, secretary general Priscilla Lau, treasurer general Jamie Tiew and southern zone political affairs director Raymond Thong. — DayakDaily
