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» SENIOR JUDGE IMPLICATED IN VIDEO CLIP DENIES DISCUSSING JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS WITH SENIOR LAWYER
» LAWYERS PLAN MARCH TO DEMAND ROYAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY

A SENIOR judge implicated in a video clip which showed a senior lawyer discussing judicial appointments over the phone has denied that he was the person on the other end.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said that the judge had contacted him to make the denial.

“The judge called me to deny that he was the one talking to the lawyer,” he said in Kuala Kangsar after a break-of-fast event on Saturday night. He did not say when the judge contacted him.

Nazri, who is in charge of law and legal matters, said it was important to establish the authenticity of the controversial video clip released by the Opposition last week. The video was purportedly recorded in 2002 and showed the senior lawyer discussing the elevation of several members of the judiciary.

“(Based on the video clip) we only see one person talking ... we don’t know who was on the other end. He (the judge allegedly speaking to the lawyer) has denied (it),” he said.

The revelation of the video has prompted calls for an investigation. The Bar Council plans a march to submit a memorandum to the prime minister on Wednesday, calling for the cabinet to discuss the setting up of a Royal Commission.

It also plans to hold an extraordinary general meeting on Oct 6 to discuss the issue further and refer the senior lawyer to the legal profession’s Disciplinary Board.

Judge said it’s not him: Nazri

KUALA KANGSAR: A senior judge said to have engaged in a telephone conversation with a lawyer, allegedly discussing judicial appointments, has denied that he was the one contacted by the lawyer featured in the video clip released by Parti Keadilan Rakyat last Tuesday.

Given the rising concern over the state of the judiciary following the release of the video, Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Tsu Koon called yesterday for immediate action to address the concern and cautioned that if this was not done, it could harm the credibility and integrity of the judiciary.

In a Bernama report, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said the judge implicated in the clip had contacted him to make the denial.

“The judge called me to deny that he was the one talking to the lawyer,” he told reporters after handing Amanah Raya Berhad tithe and breaking fast at Taman Kuala Kangsar mosque here on Saturday night.

He did not mention when the judge contacted him

Mohamed Nazri, who handles the portfolio on law and legal matters, said what was important at this stage was an investigation to establish the authenticity of the video clip.

“(Based on the video clip) we only see one person talking. We don’t know who was on the other end. He (the judge allegedly speaking to the lawyer) has denied (it),” he said.

Police have started an investigation to ascertain the authenticity of the video clip before taking further action.

Mohamed Nazri also questioned the motive of the people who exposed the clip as they have released it to the media fi rst before handing it to the police and the Anti-Corruption Agency.

“If they want to uphold justice or want to clean up the judiciary, the police and ACA can investigate. Why go to the media? The intention is questionable – for political (mileage) or for a clean judiciary?” he asked.

He warned that legal action can be taken against people resorting to action that could erode public confidence in the judiciary.

The eight-minute video showed the lawyer discussing the appointment of the judge as the Court of Appeal president and later being elevated as the chief justice, and the appointment of several other judges.

On Saturday, the Bar Council convened an emergency meeting to discuss the video clip and called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the matter.

According to news reports, its chairwoman, Ambiga Sreneevasan, said the commission should also investigate all the problems concerning the judiciary.

On Wednesday, the Bar Council will organise a march from the Palace of Justice to the Prime Minister’s Offi ce in Putrajaya, where it will submit a memorandum to Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, calling for the cabinet to discuss the setting up of the commission.

It also plans to hold an extraordinary general meeting on Oct 6 to discuss the issue further and refer the lawyer to the legal profession’s Disciplinary Board.

Abdullah had said on Friday he viewed the issue seriously and had asked the police to investigate it as soon as possible.

He said the video clip could harm the good name of the judicial system.

“You cannot take it lightly and the matter must be addressed promptly,” Abdullah, who is also the internal security minister, said.

In Batu Pahat yesterday, Koh said Malaysia has a good judicial system and legal framework that were well understood by foreign investors compared to other developing countries.

“This has become an advantage for the country to attract foreign investments. But once we lose credibility, it is going to affect our ability to woo investors,” he told reporters after opening the Johor Gerakan delegates conference.

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