Malaysian killer of Aussie surgeon to stay in jail

2009/11/06

MELBOURNE: One of the two Malaysian men jailed over the murder of Sydney heart surgeon Victor Chang will not be freed from prison on the date originally nominated by parole authorities.

The State Parole Authority of New South Wales (NSW) met on Friday to re-assess its decision to release Phillip Lim Choon Tee on Nov 11, when he will have served his minimum 18-year sentence for the 1991 murder, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported.

Five members of the authority heard arguments from Lim's lawyer on why his pending release should be upheld, while counsel for the NSW State Government gave reasons why he should remain in jail.

Hearing chairman Terry Christie said the panel had intended to deliver its decision about 2pm Friday, but would instead adjourn until Nov 20.
Christie said more time was needed to consider the arguments from both sides.

At the outset of the hearing, Christie said the government's argument for keeping Lim in jail was "of a significant persuasive nature".

Lloyd Babb, for the government, said release for Lim would mean his total freedom since he would be deported immediately to Malaysia.

But Lim's lawyer, Jack Grahame, argued that no one could predict how the Malaysian authorities would manage Lim upon his return to Malaysia.
He said any extension of Lim''s minimum sentence would be an act of making "fresh law".

Dr Chang, 54, was shot dead on a footpath at Mosman, in Sydney''s north, on July 4, 1991, in a failed extortion attempt by Liew Chew Seng (Ah Sung) and Lim.

Liew and Lim were found guilty of murder and were jailed for a maximum of 26 years and 24 years respectively. Liew''s minimum term was set at 20 years.
-- BERNAMA