PKR vice-president Sivarasa Rasiah has vowed to soon bring forward a key witness to provide information on the ‘Lingam tape’ scandal.
This is to rebut a claim by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) that it has been unable to locate witnesses to further its investigation into the high-profile case involving senior lawyer VK Lingam.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today, Sivarasa said he and other PKR leaders are “personally in contact with this key witness”.
"We are shocked to learn that MACC - with all the resources at its disposal - has not been able to locate any witness and is unable to prosecute this blatant act of corruption,” said the Subang MP.
“MACC has failed to act despite clear evidence (that) this lawyer paid for (a) trip to New Zealand for the former Number 1 judge (Eusoff Chin). (So) we propose to bring this witness in a short while to Parliament to show that we can do what the MACC is not able to do.”
However, he refused to divulge details, saying: “We will let you know...we will do our part and show (the witness). We will have a press conference with the witness.”
Last week, the government said it would not prosecute Lingam, who was featured in sensational video footage, appearing to be broker the appointment of judges.
But Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz told Parliament on Wednesday that no legal action will be taken because an official probe has failed to turn up sufficient evidence or proper testimony.
In the final days of proceedings before a royal commission of inquiry, Lingam’s former secretary LG Jayanthi had testified that he had instructed her in December 1994 to make certain arrangements for a holiday for him and his family, together with Eusoff and his family, to New Zealand.
Her evidence contradicted the testimonies of Lingam and Eusoff, who had denied that the holiday had been pre-planned and claimed that they had met by chance in New Zealand.
Jayanthi said she was told to contact Holiday Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd in Jalan Sultan Ismail to arrange for the tickets, since Lingam had earlier made general arrangements with the company.
She said Lingam instructed her to confirm the travel itineraries and ticket reservations, and that she had complied.
‘Back-door deals’
Klang member of parliament Charles Santiago said the decision to let off Lingam goes against the government’s promise to wipe out corruption.
Malaysians are fully aware of the political game that has been crafted against the “backdrop of backdoor-deals and cosy arrangements to let Lingam off the hook”, he said.
Santiago (right) said the decision is appalling, especially in light of the death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock who was questioned as a witness by the MACC in mid-May.
“Teoh was under investigation for the alleged misappropriation of RM2,400 by his boss while the royal commission of inquiry findings revealed that Lingam had brokered the selection of judges,” said Santiago.
“This clearly shows that the government protects those in power and makes sure they are exempted from punishment. In short the government is in cahoots with the police, MACC and attorney-general's chambers. This is outrageous and a travesty of justice.”
The DAP parliamentarian also said he supports the Bar Council’s decision to continue with its investigation of Lingam.
Mk
26/10/09
This is to rebut a claim by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) that it has been unable to locate witnesses to further its investigation into the high-profile case involving senior lawyer VK Lingam.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today, Sivarasa said he and other PKR leaders are “personally in contact with this key witness”.
"We are shocked to learn that MACC - with all the resources at its disposal - has not been able to locate any witness and is unable to prosecute this blatant act of corruption,” said the Subang MP.
“MACC has failed to act despite clear evidence (that) this lawyer paid for (a) trip to New Zealand for the former Number 1 judge (Eusoff Chin). (So) we propose to bring this witness in a short while to Parliament to show that we can do what the MACC is not able to do.”
However, he refused to divulge details, saying: “We will let you know...we will do our part and show (the witness). We will have a press conference with the witness.”
Last week, the government said it would not prosecute Lingam, who was featured in sensational video footage, appearing to be broker the appointment of judges.
But Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz told Parliament on Wednesday that no legal action will be taken because an official probe has failed to turn up sufficient evidence or proper testimony.
In the final days of proceedings before a royal commission of inquiry, Lingam’s former secretary LG Jayanthi had testified that he had instructed her in December 1994 to make certain arrangements for a holiday for him and his family, together with Eusoff and his family, to New Zealand.
Her evidence contradicted the testimonies of Lingam and Eusoff, who had denied that the holiday had been pre-planned and claimed that they had met by chance in New Zealand.
Jayanthi said she was told to contact Holiday Tours & Travel Sdn Bhd in Jalan Sultan Ismail to arrange for the tickets, since Lingam had earlier made general arrangements with the company.
She said Lingam instructed her to confirm the travel itineraries and ticket reservations, and that she had complied.
‘Back-door deals’
Klang member of parliament Charles Santiago said the decision to let off Lingam goes against the government’s promise to wipe out corruption.
Malaysians are fully aware of the political game that has been crafted against the “backdrop of backdoor-deals and cosy arrangements to let Lingam off the hook”, he said.
Santiago (right) said the decision is appalling, especially in light of the death of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock who was questioned as a witness by the MACC in mid-May.
“Teoh was under investigation for the alleged misappropriation of RM2,400 by his boss while the royal commission of inquiry findings revealed that Lingam had brokered the selection of judges,” said Santiago.
“This clearly shows that the government protects those in power and makes sure they are exempted from punishment. In short the government is in cahoots with the police, MACC and attorney-general's chambers. This is outrageous and a travesty of justice.”
The DAP parliamentarian also said he supports the Bar Council’s decision to continue with its investigation of Lingam.
Mk
26/10/09
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