Lawyers march to PM’s office

PUTRAJAYA: A group of about 1,000 lawyers gathered at the steps of the Palace of Justice here to march to the Prime Minister’s office.
The march, organised by the Bar Council, was to hand over a memorandum to the Prime Minister's office, calling for a royal commission to investigate the authenticity of a video clip showing a senior lawyer purportedly brokering the appointment of judges with a senior judge.
Several buses ferrying lawyers from Kuala Lumpur turned up for the march.


Government sets up three-man panel headed by retired judge
PUTRAJAYA: A three-man special independent panel headed by a retired top judge has been formed to investigate and determine the authenticity of a video clip showing a senior lawyer purportedly brokering the appointment of judges.
The panel’s terms of reference include holding a full inquiry, analysing the evidence and making the necessary conclusion.
The panel comprises former Chief Judge of Malaya Tan Sri Haidar Mohd Noor as chairman, National Service Council chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mahadev Shankar.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who announced the formation of the panel yesterday, said the findings would be submitted to the Government and made public.
“The Government decided to set up the panel in view of speculation and allegations related to the video clip that could affect the credibility and integrity of the judiciary,” he said at a press conference.
“The panel will also work closely with the Anti-Corruption Agency and police (the two law enforcement agencies also investigating the case) to determine the authenticity of the video clip,” he added.
Najib said the panel members were of impeccable character and there was no reason for the public to protest over their appointment.
“I personally called the members and they agreed to be in the panel,” he said, adding that Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hasan would assist the panel in carrying out its duties.
“They will do whatever is necessary and get the full support of the various government agencies,” he said when asked if those implicated in the video would be interviewed by the panel.
“The key thing is their findings and we (the Government) will take it from there.
“I don’t have to go into too much detail, let the panel decide on how it wants to proceed,” he said.
On the Bar Council’s planned march at Putrajaya today, Najib said “that’s up to the Bar Council and the authorities to decide.”
“I am confident that the police are up to the task. I am sure the police would be able to handle the situation,” he said.
He said the setting up of the panel was not due to the Bar Council’s request for an inquiry, but out of the concerns of the public about the integrity of the country’s judiciary system.
“At this moment, there is no intention of setting up a Royal Commission of Inquiry but the independent panel will suffice,” he added.

tunku : the matter is being investigate, an independent body had been set up, so why the bar council want to march, want to protest about what???? let the investigation finish then if you are not satisfied or what then you have some ground to protest/march. i guess our bar council has no work to do and it's manipulated by the opposition. those lawyers who marched today are the "LOYAR BURUK" type.