Sabah lawyers' group ready to assist Kiram followers facing death

At least eight followers of Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III who now face a possible death penalty in Sabah may get some legal assistance from a group of Sabah-based lawyers. The Sabah Law Association (SLA) said it is ready to make sure the eight are accorded due process, according to a report Thursday on Malaysia's The Star Online. "With the mutual cooperation of all relevant parties, SLA is confident that all persons shall be accorded the due and just process of the law," The Star Online quoted a statement of the group. SLA sought a liaison with the Philippine Embassy in Malaysia so they can coordinate their actions. It said its secretariat can be contacted by phone 088-232662, fax 088-232654 or email at sabahlaw.sla@gmail.com. It said its Human Rights and Legal Aid committees are working together to provide legal advice and representation if needed. The Star Online's report quoted the SLA as saying the courts would always assign a counsel to an accused person in cases involving the death penalty. Malaysian Bar Meanwhile, Malaysian Bar president Christopher Leong said the Bar accepted the Attorney-General's invitation to work with the SLA. "I have informed the SLA of our willingness to provide assistance and we are waiting to hear back from them," he said. But for now, Leong said they could only appear in the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak if they were granted ad-hoc admission first. On Wednesday, eight Kiram followers were charged before an improvised Magistrate's Court for terrorism and waging war against the King. While the terrorism charge provides for up to 30 years in jail, waging war against the King may carry the death penalty upon conviction. — LBG, GMA News