Tun Dr Mahathir testifies

I Was Not Influenced To Pick Ahmad Fairuz For CJ Post, Says Dr M

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today he was not influenced by anyone when he picked Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim to fill the three top posts in the judiciary.
The 84-year-old former prime minister said it was his decision to opt for Ahmad Fairuz.
"I listen to unofficial views during conversations or at social gatherings. I consider the views but the final decision is mine," he said when testifying in the royal commission of inquiry into the Lingam video clip.
Dr Mahathir, who appeared calm and smiled at times, said the reasons for his decision are "something I don't tell people."
"It is my prerogative. I don't have to explain why," Dr Mahathir said when fielding questions posed to him in the inquiry.
At the start of proceedings, Dr Mahathir's counsel Tengku Sofea Jewa told the inquiry her client wished to convey his assurance that he would give his fullest cooperation and response to the best of his ability to questions put to him.
Responding to that, commission chaiman Tan Sri Haidar Mohamed Noor said it was his duty to conduct the inquiry and ensure the commissioners conduct the proceedings in a proper manner.
Besides Tengku Sofea, Dr Mahathir is represented by Datuk Dr Yaakob Hussein Merican and Datuk N. Chandran.
Earlier, Dr Mahathir, clad in a grey suit, entered the courtroom at 10.02am, accompanied by his three lawyers and several police officers.
He bowed in respect to the inquiry panel members and smiled to the lawyers, journalists and the public in the gallery before taking his seat in the witness dock.
Dr Mahathir's daughter, Marina, also attended the inquiry.

I Only Got To Know Lingam Recently, Says Dr Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 17 (Bernama) -- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad testified Thursday that only recently he came to know lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam who is implicated in a video clip showing him allegedly brokering appointment of judges.
The former prime minister dismissed claims that prominent businessman Tan Sri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun had on several occasions brought Lingam to his house when he was the prime minister.
"That is not true," said Dr Mahathir to a question by the Malaysian Bar representative Christopher Leong who referred to some passages of the conversation in the video clip to the former premier, implying that Lingam had occasionally went to his (Dr Mahathir's) house.
Leong: Do you know V.K. Lingam?
Dr Mahathir: I've heard about him in the newspapers involving several cases. I only got to know him recently when I engaged his services in a civil suit filed against me by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Dr Mahathir, however, told the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Lingam video clip, that Lingam has been to his house after he was no longer the prime minister and after the conversation in the video tape took place.
"After I engaged Lingam (as counsel) to represent me in the civil suit, then only he (Lingam) has been to my house," he testified on the fourth day of the inquiry.
To Leong's question on whether Vincent Tan had introduced Lingam to him, Dr Mahathir replied that he would not be able to say precisely, but added that in order for him to contact Lingam, he probably spoke to Vincent.
On why he chose Lingam to represent him in the legal suit, Dr Mahathir said he thought Lingam would be a good candidate.
He admitted that Lingam was still his counsel.
Asked on whether he had seen the video clip, Dr Mahathir said: "I watched it on TV."
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