Lip Eng Says No Conflict Representing Developer Warns Of Legal Action

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DAP lawmaker Lim Lip Eng has insisted there is no professional misconduct or conflict of interest regarding his legal firm’s representation of developer Melati Ehsan amid the ongoing controversy over the eviction of residents from Kampung Papan in Klang.
“Any implication of professional misconduct or conflict of interest is not only unfounded but demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of legal professional ethics.
“The terms discussed in our dialogue constitute a conventional legal framework for settlement negotiations, wherein the withdrawal of outstanding appeals represents a standard and necessary precondition for achieving comprehensive resolution in prolonged legal matters,” he added in a statement to Malaysiakini.
The Kepong MP also warned that those making “defamatory statements and unfounded allegations” could face legal action.
ADS“For the avoidance of doubt, my firm and I expressly reserve all our legal rights, including the right to pursue appropriate legal remedies against any defamatory or otherwise unsubstantiated allegations that impair our professional standing,” he said.
Lim explained that his firm, Stella, Lim & Co, acts as one of the solicitors for Melati Ehsan in connection with the company’s housing project.
He said that after the company obtained an eviction order through another appointed law firm, it subsequently instructed his firm to engage in constructive dialogue with the Selangor government regarding its voluntary land surrender proposal, which involves both the state’s affordable housing programme and the relocation of affected places of worship.
“It is critical to emphasise that our client, having lawfully obtained the requisite eviction orders from the High Court of Shah Alam, is under no legal obligation to make any land surrender.
“The comprehensive settlement proposal represents a bona fide gesture towards achieving an equitable resolution that harmonises developmental objectives with community interests.
“This engagement is grounded in the fundamental legal principle that every entity is entitled to legal representation, an essential component of access to justice and the rule of law in any democratic society,” he added.
Clarity sought
Lim was responding to PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan, who urged DAP to clarify whether there was a conflict of interest with Lim representing the developer while another party assemblyperson, Tony Leong (Pandamaran), opposed the same developer over the eviction.
Referring to a letter from the developer, Arutchelvan said it, among other things, called on the residents to withdraw their ongoing court appeal.
PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan“What is even more alarming is that this letter came from the legal firm Stella, Lim & Co, which represents Melati Ehsan. The lawyers named in the firm are Lim, who is the DAP MP for Kepong, and Stella @ Ng Sheau Yun, who is his wife.
“This revelation is deeply troubling. On one hand, we have a DAP assemblyperson calling for the developer to be blacklisted in the state assembly. On the other hand, we have a DAP MP providing legal representation for the same company,” he added. - Mkini

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