I only met Arun briefly on my way back from Penang, says Kula

 The deputy law and institutional reform minister says he did not join the activist in the courtroom.

Deputy law and institutional reform minister M Kulasegaran (right) said he came to know activist Arun Dorasamy (centre) after representing M Indira Gandhi in her legal challenge concerning her children. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

 Deputy law and institutional reform minister M Kulasegaran says he only briefly met activist Arun Dorasamy at the Jawi court complex in Penang this morning, as he was already in the state for a meeting.

The Ipoh Barat MP from DAP said he had been in Penang since yesterday, and stopped by the court on his way back.

“I stopped by the court to speak to Arun about trusting the legal process as he prepares to face the proceedings ahead.

“I wish to clarify that I only met Arun briefly in the vicinity of the court complex before leaving. I was not present in the courtroom when the charges were read and proceedings were held.

“As always, all parties are equal before the law and due process must be respected,” he said in a statement.

Kulasegaran added that he came to know Arun after representing M Indira Gandhi in her legal challenge concerning her children.

Arun is the chairman of the Indira Gandhi Action Team, a group formed in support of Indira. Kulasegaran previously served as Indira’s lawyer.

Kulasegaran received flak, including from PKR, after being seen with Arun, who pleaded not guilty in the magistrates’ court today to making statements conducive to public mischief.

Johor PKR Youth chief Faezuddin Puad said the DAP leader’s presence at the court complex warranted an explanation, as it could signal that the government supported Arun.

“We don’t want to give the public the wrong impression. We are also concerned that this could damage the image of the government and the prime minister in the eyes of Malaysians,” he said in a Facebook post.

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari also mocked Kulasegaran on Facebook, saying the deputy minister seemed to have plenty of free time to spend with people facing charges in court. - FMT