Heng Peo must pays legal cost before leaving on 18 December 2006

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Cambodian police chief Heng Peo has to reimburse the government for costs incurred before he is allowed to leave the country. Heng Peo, in immigration custody, is likely to be deported to Singapore, his last place of disembarkation, after he settles the amount owing. The final bill will be ready tomorrow. His counsel N. Sivanathan said although his client wanted to fly, the Immigration Department has decided to follow the court order to the letter and would only allow Heng Peo to leave via the Causeway.

Sivanathan, accompanied by lawyer Abdul Shukor Ahmad and Heng Peo’s wife Ngin Sotheavy, 38, met immigration officers to discuss the deportation order.On Friday, the High Court decreed that Heng Peo be deported.Heng Peo, 51, fled Cambodia when court proceedings commenced in Phnom Penh against him and several others for the murder of a judge and other crimes.

He was arrested on Oct 3 here for overstaying but filed an application at the High Court to stop Malaysian authorities from deporting him to Cambodia. Last week, he was granted a visa to enter Finland.