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KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 13 (Bernama) -- The Royal Commission of Inquiry investigating into the controversial Lingam video clip has been postponed to Friday to enable the commissioners to go through two recusal applications to disqualify two commissioners.

The applications were filed yesterday by former Chief Justice Tun Eusoff Chin and lawyer Datuk V.K Lingam against commissioners Datuk Mahadev Shankar and Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Khoo Kay Khim.

Commission's chairman Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor said the commissioners needed time to consider the two applications, filed by counsel Datuk Hazman Ahmad representing Eusoff and counsel R Thayalan representing Lingam.

"We propose to adjourn until Feb 15 (Friday) to hear the application," he said.

Hazman then seconded the postponement.

Counsel Yeoh Yang Poh, representing Malaysian Bar, however was of different views, saying that the inquiry should proceed today and that the two applications should be heard first.

Haidar then said that it would be better for the commission to wait and decide on the applications before continuing to hear the witnesses' evidence.

"We are of the view that they (applications) contained serious allegations. To be fair, give us time to consider and decide on the matter and to move from there on," he said.

Haidar said it was not necessary for any individuals who were named in the applications to testify.

"If they feel they need to rebut, in our view, it is sufficient to file their statutory declaration and hopefully by Friday afternoon we can finish (our deliberation)... but it depends on the evidence," he said.

The commission was then informed by counsel R.S.N. Rayer that his client G. Jayanti (Lingam's former secretary) was under tremendous pressure especially after her evidence was published in the media.

In another development, counsel Wee Choo Keong representing Lingam's younger brother V. K. Thirunama submitted his witness statement for the commission to consider whether it was necessary for him to take the witness stand.

On another matter counsel Datuk Muhammad Shafee Abdullah representing Jayanti told the commission that it was not only Jayanti that was under tremendous pressure.

His client and driver D Ramachandran (Lingam's former personal driver) was also under similar condition, he said.

"Perhaps it is sufficient for me to request the counsels to advise their respective clients or their agents not to have contact with the two witnesses," he said.

Haidar then informed that the gag order following the two recusal applications was still enforced until the applications were heard on Friday.

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