The Malaysian Bar is disappointed at the Government’s reported decision to take no further action in the case involving the Lingam video clip, particularly as the 2008 Royal Commission on the video clip had verified its authenticity.
The Royal Commission’s findings are resonant of the dark days of the 1988 judicial crisis. The questions raised by the video clip cry out for answers, and the inferences arising out it are very grave. If there is truth in the any of the allegations that have surfaced, stern and appropriate action must follow.
The Government must do its utmost to investigate the matter, including looking into the announcement, made two days ago, that a key witness is available to testify. Dismissal, lukewarm responses or inaction are not options that the Government has the luxury to indulge in.
It is universally recognised that a competent, honest and impartial Judiciary free from interference is critical to every society, and that public confidence in the Judiciary, and in its independence, moral authority and integrity, is essential to the Judicial process.
As such, any hint of impropriety in the Judiciary, whether in the appointment process or in the disposal of cases, or in the conduct of judges, must be investigated swiftly and in a comprehensive and transparent manner, so that the public is assured that there is no cover-up.
The Government must demonstrate that it has the political will to act on the outcome of the 2008 Royal Commission on the video clip. Those findings must not be relegated to bookshelves, filing cabinets or storage boxes, to gather dust along with the conclusions of other Royal Commissions. Closure in this issue can only be achieved once all avenues of investigation have been exhausted and any wrongdoers are prosecuted.
Nothing less will do.
Ragunath Kesavan President Malaysian Bar 28 October 2009
2012 Hotel Corporate Rates Attending seminars? Going for a holiday? Click on the link above to check out the list of hotel corporate rates for Members of the Bar, which is updated regularly.
Talk on Intellectual Property Law (10 Feb 2012) Organised by the Selangor Bar Committee, the talk on “Intellectual Property Law” will take place at 5:00 pm, at the Selangor Bar Committee Auditorium, on 10 Feb 2012 (Friday). The talk will feature Bahari Yeow Tien Hong. Click on the link above for more details.
The Case of the Missing Penang Lawyer: Charity Treasure Hunt 2012 (12 Feb 2012) Organised by the Penang Bar Committee Social Subcommittee in aid of the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), this event will take place at Straits Quay, Penang, on 12 Feb 2012 (Sunday). Deadline for registration is 6 Feb 2012 (Monday). Click on the link above for more details.
Seminar on the Fundamentals of Bankruptcy Proceedings (21 Feb 2012) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Professional Development Committee, the seminar on “The Fundamentals of Bankruptcy Proceedings”, featuring Sanjeev Kumar Rasiah, will take place at 3:00 pm, at the Kuala Lumpur Bar Auditorium, on 21 Feb 2012 (Tuesday). Click on the link above for more details.
Seminar on the Fundamentals of Conveyancing (24 Feb 2012) Organised by the Kuala Lumpur Bar Professional Development Committee, this seminar featuring Jeremiah R Gurusamy will take place at 3:00 pm, at the Kuala Lumpur Bar Auditorium, on 24 Feb 2012 (Friday). Click on the link above for more details.
Mediation Skills Training Course (29 Feb to 4 Mar 2012) Organised by Bar Council, the Mediation Skills Training Course will take place at 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, at Raja Aziz Addruse Auditorium, Bar Council, on 29 Feb to 4 Mar 2012 (Wednesday to Sunday). Deadline for registration and payment is 17 Feb 2012 (Friday). Click on the link above for more details.
Talk on “Land Fraud: An Australian Perspective” (13 Mar 2012) Organised by IGIL, GSGSG and UUM COLGIS, this free talk featuring Quintin George Rozario of Delta Law, Brisbane, Australia, will take place at 9:00 am, at Dewan Seminar A, Pusat Konvensyen, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, on 13 Mar 2012 (Tuesday). To RSVP, contact Mr Abutt (04-928 4397; abutt@uum.edu.my).
News 
The Malaysian Bar is disappointed at the Government’s reported decision to take no further action in the case involving the Lingam video clip, particularly as the 2008 Royal Commission on the video clip had verified its authenticity.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Circular No 019/2012: Change of Address for Pejabat Pengarah Tanah dan Galian Wilayah Persekutuan
