27. Address Concerns Promptly

Gerakan president-designate Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon Sunday called for immediate action to address concerns on the country's judiciary system.

If left unattended, the Penang Chief Minister said it could harm the credibility and integrity of the judiciary system, hence causing foreign investors to shy away from investing in Malaysia.

Malaysia has a good judiciary system and legal framework that were well understood by foreign investors compared to other developing countries.

"This has become an advantage for the country to attract foreign investments. But once we lose credibility, it is going to affect our ability to woo investors," he told reporters after opening the Johor Gerakan delegates conference.

Koh expressed Gerakan's support to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's order to the police to immediately start investigations into a video clip recording implicating a senior lawyer allegedly brokering the appointment of judges.

He said action must be taken against the individuals implicated in the issue if the contents of the video clip proved authentic.

The prime minister said on Friday that he viewed the issue seriously and had asked the police to investigate it as soon as possible.

He said the video clip bore a story that could harm the good name of the judicial system.

"We cannot take this lightly and the matter must be addressed promptly," said Abdullah, who is also Internal Security Minister.

Yesterday, the Bar Council, in an emergency meeting convened to discuss the video clip issue, called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to investigate the matter.

Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan said the commission should also investigate all problems concerning the judiciary.

On Wednesday, the Bar Council will submit a memorandum to the prime minister, calling for the cabinet to discuss the setting up of the commission - Bernama.