Chang's killer to be deported

One of two men convicted of killing Sydney heart surgeon Victor Chang is to be
deported after being released from an Australian jail.
Malaysian national Phillip Choon Tee Lim, 50, was taken into detention by
immigration officials on Monday afternoon after being released by the Department of
Corrective Services at Parramatta, in Sydney's west.
His release from custody comes after months of legal applications and a public
outcry after his 18-year minimum sentence expired on November 11, 2009.
Lim and co-offender Chew Seng (Ah Sung) Liew were sentenced to maximum terms of 24
and 26 years, respectively, for the July 4, 1991, shooting death of Dr Chang at
Mosman in a failed extortion attempt.
Public outcry surrounded Lim's due release on parole in November and the state
government made a submission to keep him in jail.
The NSW Parole Authority then "vacated" or nullified its decision and ruled Lim
should remain behind bars for another 12 months.
A fortnight ago, the NSW Supreme Court heard an appeal from Lim's counsel, which
showed the parole authority had made a procedural error.
At the time, Justice Peter McClellan said Lim had been "unlawfully detained" because
of the error and quashed the authority's decision to revoke bail.
However, he consented to stay his order so the authority could rectify the
procedural error.
On Monday, Lim's counsel, Andrew Haesler SC, told the Supreme Court that the parole
authority had indicated it would no longer pursue the matter.
By 5pm (AEDT), Lim had been transferred from his prison cell and was being held in
detention by the Immigration Department.
"He will remain in detention until arrangements for his removal are finalised," an
immigration spokesman told AAP.
Details of those arrangements are not made public for security reasons but the
spokesman confirmed Lim would be returned to his country of origin, Malaysia.
The murder of Dr Chang in the exclusive Sydney north shore suburb of Mosman shocked
the nation.
The world-renowned surgeon, who pioneered heart transplant methods, was gunned down
in his home suburb on his way to work.
In a statement issued on Monday, NSW Corrective Services Minister Phil Costa said
the state had put a "strong case" against Lim's release.
"Our thoughts are with the Chang family during this difficult time," Mr Costa's
statement said.
Liew's minimum 20-year sentence means he is not eligible for release on parole until
November 2011.