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Video clip probe: Source of video recording to be given protection PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 08 October 2007 08:08am

Datuk Seri Nazri AzizNazri: New identity can be arranged for whistleblower

©New Straits Times (Used by permission)
by Shahrul Hafeez

KUALA KANGSAR:
The probe into the “Linggam” video clip will come to a dead end if the witnesses who can verify it do not come forward, Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said.

“Without their co-operation, how can we attest to the recording’s authenticity?” the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department said yesterday.

Nazri, who is in charge of law, guaranteed that the witnesses would be accorded full government protection, including a change of identities if necessary.

He said cover for informants was provided for under the Witness Protection Bill tabled recently in parliament.

 Video clip probe: Source of video recording to be given protection

He said the bill provided protection for witnesses so that their identities could be kept a secret, including administrative and other operations necessary to effect changes in their personal details.

The bill places witness provisions under various statutes, such as the Prevention of Corruption Act and Anti-Money Laundering Act, under a single ambit.

“There is a misconception that such protection can only be given through the setting up of a royal commission.

“This is not correct. The government and the police, too, can extend this protection to witnesses,” he said.

Nazri was responding to Keadilan officials who refused to name the sources of the video recording on claims that their safety would be compromised.

The three officials questioned by Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) officers over the past week said that although the agency was willing to protect the sources, their personal safety lay outside the ACA’s powers.

Nazri affirmed this fact, adding that the power to do so rested with the government and the police.

“I guarantee that we will protect the sources. Trust the government to do so.

“Who else can do it but the government? Can Keadilan do it? I don’t think so,” he said.

Nazri added that it was important for the independent panel investigating the authenticity of the recording to know where it came from.

Tan Sri Haidar Mohd Noor leads the three-member panel — the others being Datuk Mahadev Shankar and Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye — which has been given 30 working days from their appointment on Sept 27 to complete the investigation into the authenticity of the recording.

Nazri stressed that the panel had not been formed in order to go after the whistleblowers or penalise the sources, and urged them to come forward.

Nazri was met at the handing over of Hari Raya contributions to the poor and underprivileged in his parliamentary constituency, Padang Rengas.

State assemblymen Datuk Siti Salmah Mat Jusak (Chenderoh) and Datuk Jamal Nasir Rasdi (Lubok Merbau) were also present at the event which saw more than 300 people being given Raya gifts.

Comments (9)Add Comment
Assurance from minister is still wanting
written by Kelvin Ng Sin Huat, Monday, October 08 2007 09:12 am

To my simple mind, the source of the video clip (whistle blower) has no relevance to the authenticity of the video clip. It may be relevant in a court of law in respect of the rules against hearsay evidence. But as far as investigation into the authenticity of the video clip is concerned, I am of the view the same can be verified through technical expertise and other means which has been suggested by some fellow lawyers here.

When and if the Witness Protection Bill is passed, will it have a retrospective effect to cover the whistle blower in this case? Whilst the identity of the whistle bower may be protected under the Prevention of Corruption Act, does that also mean that the whistle blower is immune and protected from prosecution? Assuming it is in the affirmative, it would only cover the whistle blower if he gives a statement to the ACA and not when he gives a statement to the three member panel isn't? Hence the need for a royal commission of inquiry!

I was once asked by someone to trust him to sort out some problem which arises from his own wrong doing. I told him that he can only issue such statement or "assurance" if and only if he has the credibility in the first place. To the mind of the whistle blower, does the government has the reputation and moral creditability for him/her to rely on the assurance by the Honorable Minister. To some, it is sufficient, to others it may still be found wanting.

Kelvin Ng Sin Huat

New Identity
written by Clement G Lopez, Monday, October 08 2007 12:13 pm

My humble view is that the Minister would benefit from a new identity (and portfolio).

Clement G Lopez

Plastic surgery???
written by Buddy Low Chia Chii, Monday, October 08 2007 12:33 pm

There you go, loud and clear thanks once again to the de facto Minister of Law. The whole purpose of the panel is for the Government (not the panel) to know who are the sources. All these talks about ascertaining the authenticity in order for the panel to carry out its task, and thereafter for the Government to act upon the findings of the panel are nothing but a complete farce! And what nonsense is this about plastic surgery when the Bill hasn't even been passed? And if ever anyone in this country were to undergo such mind-boggling process of plastic surgery and change of identity in order to ensure one's safety, where's the protection which is meant to be afforded by the Witness Protection Bill then? And imagine the inconveniences caused to one's social and private lives.

Buddy Low Chia Chii

What next?
written by Darric Ong, Monday, October 08 2007 01:04 pm

First he was the CJ's minister. Now he's relying on a Bill as if it were an AOP. What next?

Darric Ong

Nazri
written by Alex Tan Ken Seng, Monday, October 08 2007 02:42 pm

The Witness Protection Act? Or still just a Bill? How does Nazri know how it will be implemented? Will he give a binding undertaking to the whistleblower, binding him to liability for unspecified damages?

Also, dear Nazri, a new location and plastic surgery is not what we Malaysians do everyday OK? It's not that simple. Just because should the whistleblower decline does not mean that V K Lingam did not broker deals with Ahmad Fairuz. That's basic law. As the AG will tell you, many accused are arrested even before investigations are fully complete. Heck, sometimes investigations are still NOT complete even though a trial date has been fixed!

Further, what if the informant reveals himself, and then the government decides that based on Lingam's statement to the ACA (the contents of which has not been revealed, not even in summary) there is no case? What guarantee can Nazri give that as at the moment, it has not already been decided that there is NO case (remember Negri Sembilan's ex-MB?)?

Alex Tan Ken Seng

Hardly assuring...
written by Visvanathan Murugiah, Monday, October 08 2007 04:18 pm

Maybe the learned Minister should consider getting a new face himself. The present one is "too tebal". Speak like a minister in charge of law for once. The issue of getting a new face would be hardly assuring to the informant would it now.

Visvanathan Murugiah

Plastic Surgery, ok?
written by Raymond Yap Soon Hock, Monday, October 08 2007 05:07 pm

It was reported by AFP today that, "Malaysia has offered plastic surgery and a new identity to try to draw out the anonymous whistleblower behind a video clip purportedly showing judicial corruption". What an international disgrace!

My fear is that the whistleblower may end up having all his organs harvested instead of a plastic surgery while lying on the operating table. Ha..ha..

Raymond Yap Soon Hock

What now!
written by Kelvin Ng Sin Huat, Monday, October 08 2007 07:10 pm

Hey,

The may say that the person in the video clip is someone who has undergone plastic surgery now! smilies/grin.gif

Kelvin Ng Sin Huat

One frustration onto another
written by Tan Peek Guat, Tuesday, October 09 2007 08:24 am

It is indeed frustrating to live in a country where the citizens are the voters and yet their cries and struggles are side-lined because of the usurpation of the law by the powers that be.

Something must be wrong somewhere.

The Government wants to be transparent; and yet, now, the law minister is talking about camouflaging one's identity. Something must be really wrong somewhere!

Tan Peek Guat


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