The three-member panel probing the authenticity of the 'VK Lingam' video admitted that it is powerless, including in compelling witnesses to come forward or to extend protection for them.

"We have no power," was the blunt remark from panel head Haidar Mohd Noor.

He was speaking at a packed press conference after chairing the panel's maiden meeting, which lasted for three hours, at the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) office in Kuala Lumpur.

Haidar, who is the former Chief Judge of Malaya, was repeatedly asked why witnesses would want to testify before the panel if they cannot be accorded any form of protection.

At one point, he said witnesses could turn to departments like the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) for protection.

Earlier, Haidar urged those with personal knowledge regarding the video clip or could help in ascertaining its authenticity to come forward.

Another panel member, former Court of Appeal judge Mahadev Shankar said although there was no protection, witnesses should come forward "for the sake of Malaysia".

"The truth is the best armour, justice is the best protection," he stressed.

The third panel member, National Service Training Council chairperson Lee Lam Thye, was also present but refrained from making any comments.

Lingam will not be called

Meanwhile, Haidar also said that it does not plan to call senior lawyer VK Lingam to appear before the panel because it is "not our role" to do so.

"If he wants to come... I don't know," he said.
At this juncture, Mahadev interjected: "By the way, do you (journalist) know where he (Lingam) is? Have you got a hotline to (contact) him by any chance? Maybe you can help us."

On the criticisms regarding the panel's limited terms of reference, Haidar said: "(We have to go) step by step and then leave it to the government to decide."

This morning, the panel met with Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, Inspector General-of-Police Musa Hassan and ACA director-general Ahmad Said Hamdan.

However, Haidar refused to divulge what had transpired during the meeting apart from saying that the panel would work closely with these agencies in discharging its duties.

The panel is expected to hold a second meeting with the AG, IGP and ACA top brass in two week's time to discuss the evidence that have been gathered.

Haidar also did not reveal in detail as to how the panel was going to technically verify the authenticity of the clip.

He said the panel had yet to decide on the form of the investigation, and whether it would be carried out as an open inquiry.

The panel has 30 working days from Sept 27 - the day they were appointed by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak - to complete its task. The time frame could be extended if need be.

Mahadev also distributed copies of the letter of appointment - which included the panel's terms of reference - to reporters. (see below)

'Don't throw stones at us'

In a related development, Haidar sidestepped questions regarding the objections raised over his appointment to head the panel.

"I don't want to enter into an argument. There is no point, there is no end to it," he said, adding that the conscience of the panel members were clear in carrying out their role.

This issue was first raised by Mahadev (far right) at the onset of the press conference when he told reporters that he was "very distressed" by the comments posted on websites and blogs regarding Haidar and Lee.

"I ask all of you out there, don't throw stones at us until we have finished our inquiry.

"I respect freedom of speech, you can say what you want, but if you want us to do our work well as an independent panel, let us finish our work first as best as we can," he added.

Referring to a group of protestors who gathered at the Suhakam office this morning, Mahadev said: "Try and avoid demonstrating outside our door and all that, please-lah."

"We have got no vested interest here in what we are doing. All we want to do is to finish our job as quickly as possible and go home," he added.

The formation of the panel was prompted by the video clip released by PKR on Sept 19.

The clip showed Lingam talking on the phone, purportedly with current Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim on the appointment of 'friendly' senior judges.

The issue ignited an uproar, with numerous quarters calling for a royal commission of inquiry to look into the slide in the Malaysian judiciary.

About a week after the clip emerged, Ahmad Fairuz issued a denial via de facto law minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz. Ahmad Fairuz, who was the chief judge of Malaya in 2002, said that it was not him at the end of the line.

Lingam, who was said to be abroad when the video clip emerged, has yet to comment on the matter although he was said to have returned to the country.


SPECIAL REPORT: The Lingam tape