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©The Sun (Used by permission)
by Husna Yusop

PETALING JAYA (Dec 12, 2007): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today named a six-member Royal Commission of Inquiry headed by former Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Haidar Mohd Noor to investigate the controversial video clip featuring a conversation on the appointment of judges.

The commission has three months from today to complete the inquiry, make recommendations and present its report to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Abdullah said in a statement the Cabinet on Dec 5 discussed and agreed to the appointment of the commissioners, the five terms of reference (see graphics), duration of inquiry and submission to the King for his consent.

He said the King had consented to the establishment of the body, to be called Commission Of Inquiry On The Video Clip Recording Of Images Of A Person Purported To Be An Advocate and Solicitor Speaking On The Telephone On Matters Regarding The Appointment of Judges, under the Commissions of Enquiry Act 1950.

Other commissioners are former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong, former Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Mahadev Shankar, former Solicitor-General Puan Sri Zaitun Zawiyah Puteh and academician-cum-historian Prof Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim. Director-general of Legal Affairs in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid is commission secretary.

Last month, Abdullah had said the Royal Commission would be established as it was deemed appropriate based on the findings of a three-member independent panel appointed to verify the authenticity of the video clip.

The panel, also headed by Haidar, with Mahadev and social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye as the other members, was formed on Sept 25 to investigate the authenticity of the video clip. It completed its report on Nov 6.

The video clip allegedly showed lawyer Lingam discussing judicial appointments with a "Datuk", believed to be a senior judge, in a mobile phone conversation. The conversation revolved around the urgent need to get that judge move up the ranks.

Lingam has so far withheld comment in relation to the video clip, while the judge has indirectly denied his involvement.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had first publicised an eight-minute-long video clip - purportedly taken in 2002 - on Sept 19, but had said part of the footage was withheld to protect the source.

Following this, on Sept 26, over 2,000 lawyers walked from the Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister's Department to demand the Prime Minister to set up a Royal Commission on the video clip as well as a commission on the appointment of judges.

WHO'S WHO:

Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor, 68 (chairman)

* Former Chief Judge of Malaya
* Former chief registrar of the Supreme Court, High Court, the Court of Appeal and Federal Court
* Former senior federal counsel in the Attorney-General's Chambers
* Former state legal advisor to Penang and Perak
* Commerce International Merchant Bankers (CIMB) independent non-executive director
* Trustee of the Perdana Leadership Foundation

Tan Sri Steve Shim Lip Kiong, 55 (member )

* Former Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak

Datuk Mahadev Shankar, 75 (member)

* Former judge of the Court of Appeal (1994-1997)
* Former judge of the High Court in Johor, Kuala Lumpur, and Selangor (1983-1994)
* Founder member of Malaysia Human Rights Commission in 1999
* Consultant in Zaid Ibrahim and Co, Malaysia's largest legal firm.
* Former Board member of Malaysian Airlines System Bhd (1975-1983)
* Former legal advisor to the New Straits Times Group on libel laws

Puan Sri Datuk Zaitun Zawiyah Puteh, 57 (member)

* Former Solicitor-General of Malaysia (2002- 2006)

Prof Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Kim, 70 (member)

* Professor of History at University of Malaya.
* Malaysia Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) commissioner
* One of the co-authors of the Rukunegara.

Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid (secretary)

* Prime Minister Department's legal affairs division director-general
* Former Negeri Sembilan state secretary

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