The six-month extension to Chief Justice Eusoff Chin's term of service is considered "an affront to thinking Malaysians", social reform movement Aliran said today.

"It is difficult to fathom how (Prime Minister) Dr Mahathir (Mohamad) could have recommended this extension unless it is meant to mock thinking Malaysians and trivialise a serious issue that threatens the very integrity of the judiciary," said Aliran president P. Ramakrishnan.

He said that the Bowman report contradicts Eusoff's version of his chance meeting with prominent lawyer V.K Lingam while on holiday in New Zealand six years ago.

Malaysiakini reported last Wednesday that UK-based private eye Bowman Investigations has alleged that Eusoff and Lingam flew together with their families for their Christmas holiday in 1994.

Copies of Eusoff's itinerary and Lingam's counterfoil air tickets, which Bowman's team of investigators said they obtained, allegedly show that both took the same flight from Singapore to Auckland, and within New Zealand.

"The Bowman report raises issues of honor and integrity of a judge. It demands a convincing rebuttal that must clear his name and dismiss all doubts surrounding his conduct," said Ramakrishnan.

He said that as a matter of honour, it is important for Eusoff to refute the report.

"Silence in this instance is not an option for the CJ. His silence will not exonerate him but will certainly incriminate him," he added.

"For us in Aliran, we are not so much concerned about his private holiday. We are not concerned who had whose arm around whose shoulders. But we are terribly concerned whether the CJ had lied. That bothers us a lot."

He urged Eusoff to turn down the six-month extension until his name is cleared.

Eusoff, who celebrates his 65th birthday today, is due for retirement. However, Mahathir announced recently that his tenure would be extended to ensure "everything is in place before there is any change".

According to the Federal Constitution, the term of Chief Justice, the highest position in the judiciary, can be extended for not more than six months from the date of compulsory retirement upon approval by the King.

Ramakrishnan said that Eusoff would do the judiciary irreparable damage if he accepts an extension to this term of office when there is a cloud of doubt hanging over his head.

"The top judge must be seen and be accepted as someone honest and upright who will command the respect of all Malaysians. When the head of the judiciary fails to command the confidence of the public, then justice is indeed in jeopardy," he added.