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Nazri: We must verify video clip

Friday, 19 October 2007 07:33am

Nazri: We must verify video clip ©The Star (Used by permission)
by Shahanaaz Habib

KUALA LUMPUR: There is a need to first verify the authenticity of the video clip featuring a prominent lawyer purportedly brokering the appointment of judges before there can be any investigation into the judiciary or formation of a royal commission of inquiry, said Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said it was therefore important for those with information on the video to come forward and assist the independent panel set up by the Government to investigate if the video was genuine.

“It’s one step at a time,” he said when contacted yesterday.

“That is the process.”

“It’d be unfortunate if the mechanism (panel) set up is not used by the people.

“I really hope people will come forward. Then we can have a look at the judiciary. Otherwise, we may conclude there is no case,” he added.

The three-man panel was set up by the Government three weeks ago, but up till Wednesday no one has come forward to give information to the panel headed by former Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Haidar Mohd Noor.

Because of the absence of testimony, the panel – which also includes former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mahadev Shanker and National Service Council chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye – could only hear the findings of the Anti-Corruption Agency, which was investigating the case.

Nazri said there was nothing more the panel could do other than wait for people to come forward because it has neither the powers to compel people to appear before it nor the powers to carry out legal investigations.

He said those who had already given their statements to the ACA need not come to the panel as the ACA would already be reporting its findings to the panel.

“What we want are other witnesses. I do hope that whoever has information will come forward voluntarily. Without it, the panel would then have to depend on the ACA as the only source.

“If possible, we do not want to rely solely on the ACA,” he added.

The video clip came from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), which edited it to eight minutes 26 seconds from the original 14 minutes and 16 seconds to protect the identity of the source.

ACA has since recorded statements from several people, including PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, party vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah, Anwar’s personal assistant Sim Tze Tzin, as well as a senior lawyer and a business tycoon implicated in the video.

Nazri said that after the panel received the report from the ACA, it could then also call up these witnesses voluntarily if there was a need.

Meanwhile, Sivarasa and Sim reiterated yesterday that they would only reveal the source of the video clip to a Royal Commission of Inquiry.

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Need to verify
written by Ding Chu Teck, Friday, October 19 2007 10:21 am

Yes, we need to verify the video clip first.

But aren't the two persons 'on the line' in the clip important witnesses? Why aren't they called to testify?

Ding Chu Teck

Why only now???
written by Shim Wai Loon, Friday, October 19 2007 12:03 pm

As confirmed by the minister (although we all know), the panel will conclude there is no case since no one comes forward to give evidence, but at the same time they are sending the clip to overseas for verification. If the panel concludes no case, what is the need to verify the clip by expert? By doing so, doesn't it indicate that there might be a case? Aren't these contradicting?

The more strange thing here is the timing of doing all these, why can't they be done at the same time? Any prudent person will know the first thing to do is to verify the authenticity of the clip. Why are they sending the clip for expert verification only 3 weeks after its release? More coincidentally, now is the time where the extension of the CJ's tenure is in question. If the panel makes the expected conclusion or the result of the expert verification cannot be obtained by end of October, it would not be suprising that his tenure is to be extended. Simple reason, one is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Please do not get me wrong, I am not saying this is how justice should be, it is about strategy.

Shim Wai Loon

Quite right Mr Minister!
written by Visvanathan Murugiah, Friday, October 19 2007 12:26 pm

Quite right Mr Minister! Absolutely correct, correct, correct correct correct! It is of paramount importance that the clip be verified. Yup definitely correct procedure here!

Well done. You make all of us very proud! So..... Clever!

Visvanathan Murugiah

People of Malaysia : We must verify Nazri doesn't
written by Alex Tan Ken Seng, Friday, October 19 2007 03:19 pm

We must take it one step at a time.

If no one is willing to come forward to testify that Nazri is fit to be a minister, then we'll consider the next step of calling a Royal Commission to certify him a nincompoop.

In the meantime, the 3-man panel of Vincent (not a Tan), Veekay and Zuriaf must be allowed to do their job. The deadline not yet passed mah.

Alex Tan Ken Seng

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