DAP leader Lim Guang Eng had breached the law while serving the people and therefore the royal pardon he is seeking should be granted, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat youth chief Ezam Mohd Nor.

The youth leader urged the King to carefully consider Lim's petition as he had committed the offence while seeking justice for an alleged rape victim and her (the victim's) grandmother who sought Lim's help.

"He did not create the rape allegations. He revealed the allegations to the public because he believed that was part of his duty as a people's representative. He also believed that if the matter was made public, the safety of the girl and her grandmother would be protected," Ezam said in a press statement.

Lim sought a royal pardon to remove his disqualification as a member of Parliament following his conviction and jail term under the Sedition and Printing Presses and Publication Act in 1998.

Lim had accused former Melaka chief minister Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik of having sex with an underaged girl. The controversy eventually forced the latter to quit.

As a result of his conviction, Lim, then the member of parliament for Kota Melaka was jailed 18 months.

Unless Lim is pardoned, he will only be able to contest the elections after Aug 25, five years from the date of his conviction.

Punished enough

In the statement, Ezam also said that Lim had been punished enough as he had fully served the 18 months' sentence for offences under the Sedition and Printing Presses and Publication Act in 1998.

"Further, the offences committed did not threaten the nation's security." he said.

If people like Lim are dealt with too harshly, it would deter others from revealing misconducts by prominent figures, he added.

"A royal pardon will leave a positive effect to the people and at the same time improve the people's confidence and courage to act for the best interest of others," he said.

He said if those who had committed more serious offences like murder, corruption and triad activities could be pardoned, surely Guan Eng is more than eligible to be pardoned too.