Speaking to reporters here, she acknowledged that there was no law to force such a course of action, but she pointed out that others had resigned for less. This was the convention among advocates of democracy, she said.
“Every public official is accountable,” she added.
She noted that Lim had welcomed the decision by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to investigate the purchase. The public needed only to wait and “see what happens,” she said.
It was revealed in Parliament last week that Lim had purchased a double-storey bungalow on 10,000 sq ft of land at Jalan Pinhorn, off Green Lane, in George Town for RM2.8 million.
Barisan Nasional MP Shahbudin Yahaya said the price was below market value, quoting a figure of RM6 million to RM6.5 million for comparable houses.
Lim has since said he was unaware of the market value of the house.
Ambiga’s call echoed that of G-Pem, an NGO that claims to represent 13 Malay groups. G-Pem chief Mohd Rizuad Mohd Azudin said Lim could always resume his post after being cleared by the MACC.
Ambiga made her remarks after she witnessed several people adding their signatures to the Citizens’ Declaration that is aimed at forcing Prime Minister Najib Razak to resign. The new signatories included Lawyers for Liberty co-founder Eric Paulsen and Bantah TPPA activist Azlan Awang.