Two French lawyers representing human rights watchdog Suaram will be attempting to enter Malaysia to brief MPs despite reservations expressed by the ruling party leaders.  

 

NONE Suaram director Cynthia Gabriel said the briefing was "definitely on" and the lawyers will fly in before Nov 29, when the current sitting of the Dewan Rakyat is scheduled to end.

 

However, an exact date was yet to be confirmed. Gabriel said the lawyers were currently making their flight arrangements.

Suaram's assurance comes in response to Deputy Defence Minister Abdul Latiff Ahmad's claim that the briefing would " lower the dignity " of Parliament.

The two lawyers - William Bourdon and Joseph Breham -are representing Suaram, which filed an official complaint in Paris, leading to a French investigation into the sale of two submarines by defence firm DCNS to Malaysia.  

 

Suaram has alleged that there kickbacks would have been paid to seal the deal - and this is illegal in France.

 

Bourdon and Breham were scheduled to be in Parliament today to address MPs, on the invitation of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Suaram has Plan B

Their visit was postponed after Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's refusal to guarantee a safe passage for the two lawyers.

 

On July 11 last year, the Immigration Department detained Bourdon on board a plane after it touched down at the KL International Airport.

NONE He was deported several hours later. No detailed explanation was given about any offence he may have committed.

Bourdon (left) was supposed to address a fund-raising dinner in Petaling Jaya that day. He had just addressed a similar event in Penang the night before.

Gabriel said certain MPs would be taking the initiative to ensure the lawyers' safe passage and that Suaram have made contingency plans.

She said there is no reason to deport the duo and Malaysians should be allowed to hear from them.

“If the Malaysian government and authorities decide to take harsh action against the entry of the lawyers, it becomes obvious that they have something to hide,” she said.

Mindef: Inviting Suaram's lawyers 'lowers our dignity'