Thursday May 22, 2008

A-G orders investigation into all findings

By LOURDES CHARLES

(The Star) KUALA LUMPUR: Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail has ordered a thorough follow-up on all the findings made by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the V.K. Lingam video clip, as well as the 14-minute recording.

Abdul Gani said he had directed all the relevant authorities to immediately commence investigations based on the commission’s findings.

“I want a fair and just investigation, not only into one or two issues but into each and every finding highlighted by the Royal Commission,” he told The Star.

“Among areas to be investigated are the 14-minute video clip allegedly showing lawyer V. K. Lingam brokering judicial appointments with former chief justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul over the telephone and the holiday trip to New Zealand involving former chief justice Tun Mohd Eusoff Chin and Lingam.”

Abdul Gani said he had ordered the ACA to study the video clip, which had been sent to several experts overseas for authentication as well as for voice confirmation.

He appealed to the public to give the ACA, the police and other agencies involved in the probe the “space and time” to investigate without any unwanted pressure.

“Let us do our job in peace so that we can conduct a thorough investigation into all the recommendations,” he added, citing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who had said he did not want any public prosecution or persecution by the media.

Abdul Gani said he would be meeting with the relevant agencies involved from time to time to ensure investigations were carried out without any delay.

The Royal Commission found, among other things, that:

The video clip was authentic;

Lingam was having a phone conversation with former chief justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim;

Lingam was actively involved in the appointment of Ahmad Fairuz as President of the Court of Appeal, with the possible aim of his further appointment as Chief Justice;

Lingam had asked his close friends tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan and Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to involve themselves actively in the appointment of judges, in particular the appointment of Ahmad Fairuz as the Chief Judge of Malaya and subsequently, President of the Court of Appeal;

The phone conversation indicated Lingam’s “uncanny knowledge” of what could be considered as matters protected under the Official Secrets Act; and that,

Tengku Adnan appeared to be Lingam’s “source” in the Prime Minister’s Department.