> Lingam probe completed

The news that the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) had completed investigations into matters raised by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the V.K. Lingam video clip has elicited mixed feelings.

While the Bar Council and several others welcomed the completion of the investigations they had reservations about the quality or whether any further action would ensue.

“Previous ACA investigations into these same issues left much to be desired so we hope the investigations this time were more in-depth and thorough,” said council chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan.

ACA director of Investigations Datuk Shukri Abdull was reported as saying on Monday that the investigations on matters directly related to lawyer Datuk V.K. Lingam were complete.

He added that the papers had been submitted to the ACA’s Prosecution Division for further action.

In its report, presented to the King on May 9, the Commission had found that it was former Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheilkh Abdul Halim who was talking on the phone with Lingam.

Among others, it recommended the ACA investigate the New Zealand holiday that then Chief Justice Tun Eusoff Chin and Lingam and their respective families had gone on in 1994.

Following the report, which found evidence of manipulation in the appointment and promotion of judges, the Attorney General and the Cabinet directed the ACA to investigate six individuals: Lingam; former Chief Justice Tun Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim; Eusoff; former Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor; business tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan; and then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Hakam president Malik Imtiaz Sarvar said it was in the public interest that steps be taken urgently, in view of the serious lack of confidence in the judiciary.

“The need for reform is beyond question. The taking of appropriate measures, one way or the other, is a must.”

Transparency International - Malaysia president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said the public had been wondering about the delay.

“I hope the ACA has been able to be completely independent and the new powers it now enjoys in prosecution will be fully justified because it is now solely accountable for investigations and prosecutions,” he added.

Retired Court of Appeal Judge Datuk Shaik Daud Ismail hoped the ACA would prosecute if the evidence called for that.

“They must otherwise the public will not have faith in them or any other Royal Commission.” - The Star.