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©The Star (Used by permission)

KUALA KANGSAR: A new identity or even new look can be arranged for the person or persons who took the controversial video of a prominent lawyer allegedly brokering the appointment of judges, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz.

He said such measures were defined under the Witness Protection Act to ensure the person's identity was protected.

“Under the Act, they will not only be protected but can also undergo (plastic) surgery to change their look,” he told reporters after handing out duit raya and goodies to old folks in Lubuk Merbau here yesterday.

He was commenting on Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim – who made public the video – dismissing assurances that the identity of the person or persons who took the video would be protected.

Anwar said the source would come forward only if there was a Royal Commission of Inquiry set up instead of an independent panel.

Anwar had also said that while the Anti-Corruption Agency said it was willing to protect the identity of the source, it could not guarantee the personal safety of whistleblowers because this was not within the ambit of its powers.

Nazri said the person or persons who took the video had no reason not to cooperate.

“My assurance is that we have an Act to protect them (the witnesses) ... if we don’t believe in the Government, who would we trust?''

Nazri said the role of the independent panel was to investigate the authenticity of the recording and thus the source of the video must be revealed to ascertain its authenticity.

“If they don’t cooperate, its authenticity can’t be ascertained and this will prevent the panel from discharging its duties,'' he added.

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