Are the 26 Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) supporters accused of attempting to kill a policemen more important than the high-profile Altantunya Shaariibuu murder case?

This is among the many questions which has left Parliamentary Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang puzzled.

He said the presence of Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail ( left ) at the Shah Alam Sessions Court, where the Hindraf supporters were charged yesterday, raised numerous questions.

"The first question is why did the AG think it was important to appear for an attempted murder charge when he never thought it was important to personally handle the high-profile murder trial of Mongolian woman Altantunya Shraiibu, although it has more far reaching national and international implications?" asked Lim.

"Secondly, questions arising from one of disbelief that as many as 26 people are being charged for the attempted murder of a policeman, a charge which entails a maximum 20 years jail ," he said during a press conference at the Parliament lobby today.

Create history

Lim was of the view that Malaysia will create history if Abdul Gani succeeds in his prosecution and in securing the maximum sentence for the accused.

"The country will create a world history in getting the most number of people sent for life sentence for the attempted murder of a cop, but what a world record!" he exclaimed.

However, he said the charges against the protesters raised further questions as to the real motives behind the re-arrest and the new charge.

"Are the charges conducive to the larger national objective to de-escalate tensions caused by the long-standing marginalisation of Malaysian Indians highlighted by the 30,000 strong demonstration ?" he asked.

Lim noted that the injuries, whether sustained by policemen or protestors, could have been avoided if the police had handled the protest with professionalism and displayed greater respect for the constitutional rights of Malaysians to peaceful assemblies and freedom of expression.

On that note, he called on the government to set up a royal commission of inquiry to look into the matter.

He urged Abdul Gani to suspend all prosecutions until a royal commission of inquiry into the Hindraf protest is formed and concludes its probe.

"Abdul Gani should personally recommend that such a royal commission be set up without any delay," he added.

MPs told to apologise

In an unrelated development , Lim urged MPs Mohd Syed Hood Syed Edros (BN-Parit Sulong) and Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) to apologise for their suggestion that crucifixes in missionary schools be removed.

He said the explanation given by Syed Hood in defending his remarks has compounded his offence, not only of his recalcitrance but also of his "totally unapologetic stance".

"The two MPs are given 48 hours to apologise for their baseless, misleading and offensive statements casting adverse reflection on the contribution and loyalty of mission schools," he said, adding that he will table a motion to refer them to the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges should they fail to apologise.

"Syed Hood did not only mislead, but lied in the Dewan Rakyat. It is wrong under Standing Order 36(12)," he claimed.

He also criticised Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz for not understanding the law when he said the public can lodge a police report against the duo.

"No report can be lodged because they are protected by parliamentary immunity. The minister in charge of parliamentary affairs does not know his law," he said.