Singapore judge gives Indonesian worker Parti Liyani two weeks to decide on legal action against prosecutors
- The chief justice said Parti’s mind is ‘somewhat torn’ between going forward with the case against the prosecutors and returning home to Indonesia
- Her case was thrust into the spotlight last month when a judge overturned her conviction for stealing from ex-Changi Airport Group chairman’s household
The 45-year-old Indonesian worker’s case was thrust into the spotlight last month when a High Court judge overturned her conviction for stealing more than S$34,000 (US$24,904) worth of items from Liew’s household.
The high-profile case sparked public outcry, raising questions about how her trial was conducted and flaws in the evidence-gathering process.
Earlier in June, Parti filed an originating summons in a bid to begin disciplinary proceedings against the prosecutors who handled her trial in the State Courts – Deputy Public Prosecutors (DPPs) Tan Wee Hao and Tan Yanying.
However, her lawyer Anil Balchandani told Chief Justice Menon on Thursday that his client “has been somewhat overwhelmed by the events of the past month”.
Because of this, she initially considered withdrawing the originating summons.
“However, his client evidently also believes that the DPPs should answer the allegations she has raised in her affidavit and is altogether somewhat torn between the various competing considerations,” Chief Justice Menon noted.
State Counsel Kristy Tan, one of three representatives from the attorney general’s chambers (AGC) who appeared for the DPPs, said that they will not object to the chief justice referring the matter to a disciplinary tribunal for investigation.
This would give them the chance to present their account of what happened and to explain themselves fully, she added.
Chief Justice Menon said that this seemed like the “appropriate course of action” to take, but granted Parti a two-week adjournment first before deciding on this.
The chief justice can appoint a tribunal if he grants leave for investigations to be conducted into the misconduct complaint.
The tribunal will submit its findings to him and he can either dismiss the complaint if the tribunal finds no cause of sufficient gravity for disciplinary action, or order the DPPs to be punished.
Chief Justice Menon said that Parti may also have to get another lawyer if Balchandani is likely to be a witness in the tribunal proceedings.
He instructed the lawyer to tell him of Parti’s decision “as soon as possible within the next two weeks”.
In a statement on Thursday, an AGC spokesperson said that the two DPPs “welcome the chance to present a full and transparent account of what transpired during the trial … and will cooperate fully in any inquiry”.
