The Malaysian Bar - Haidar appointed Royal Commission Chairman

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Haidar appointed Royal Commission Chairman

Wednesday, 12 December 2007 05:01pm

©Bernama (Used by permission)

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- Former Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor has been appointed chairman of the six-member Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the video clip controversy featuring a senior lawyer purportedly brokering judicial appointments over the telephone, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced Wednesday.

He said the Cabinet, in its weekly meeting on Dec 5, discussed and agreed to the appointment of the commission members, terms of reference, duration of inquiry and submission to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, for his royal assent.

"It is hereby informed that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has consented to the setting up of the commission to investigate the video clip recording of a senior lawyer allegedly brokering appointment of judges," he said in a statement today.

The Prime Minister said the Royal Commission of Inquiry is set up under the Commission of Inquiry Act 1950 (Act 119), with effect from today, he said.

Five other members of the commission are former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Amar Steve Shim Lip Kiong, former Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Mahadev Shankar, former Solicitor-General Puan Sri Zaitun Zawiyah Puteh, Academician-cum-Historian Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim.

Datuk Abdullah Sani Ab Hamid has been named commission secretary.

The commission's terms of reference is to inquire and ascertain the authenticity of the video clip, inquire and identify the speaker, the person he was speaking to in the clip and the people mentioned in the conversation.

The commission's terms of reference also include inquiring into and ascertaining the truth or the content of the conversation in the video clip and to determine whether any act of misconduct has been committed by person or persons identified or mentioned in the clip.

The commission is also required to recommend appropriate action to be taken against the person or persons identified or mentioned in the video clip should such person or persons be found to have committed any misconduct.

"The commission shall complete the inquiry and submit a report to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in three months from the date of its establishment," added the statement signed by Abdullah.