Gerakan today called on the government to "seriously consider" the setting up of a royal commission to investigate the explosive 'judicial appointments fixing' video clip.

It became the first BN component party to come out strongly on the clip, which has ignited an uproar within the legal fraternity and among the public since it was exposed on Sept 19 by PKR's Anwar Ibrahim.

Both Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Najib Abdul Razak have earlier ruled out the formation of a royal commission. The latter said the government-appointed panel to investigate the authenticity of the clip was sufficient.

PM keeps mum

At the Gerakan's national delegates conference this morning, acting president Dr Koh Tsu Koon said the party supported the formation of the panel as a first step to scrutinise and ascertain the authenticity of evidences in the clip.

He, however, suggested the government should not shoot down the calls for a royal commission.

"We note with concern that public perception about the judiciary has been adversely affected by this and other revelations and allegations," Koh said in his speech at the annual meet held at the Gerakan headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

"If need be, a royal commission should be seriously considered," he said to applause from the 1,418 Gerakan leaders and delegates attending the three-day meet.

Koh - who is also the Penang chief minister - stressed that the integrity of the judiciary is important because it is perceived as the "very custodian and dispenser of justice".

"Moreover, a sound legal system with independence of the judiciary is one of the most important factors in attracting and sustaining investor's confidence, both foreign and domestic," he noted.

The prime minister, who was present to officiate the meet and was seated on stage, did not display any emotion when Koh raised the suggestion.

He also did not respond to Koh's call nor touch on the video clip controversy in his opening speech. The prime minister left without speaking to journalists later.

The eight-minute clip, which was taken from a 14-minute clip said to be recorded in 2002, showed senior lawyer VK Lingam talking on the phone discussing the appointment of 'friendly' judges purportedly with Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.

Ahmad Fairuz, who was the chief judge of Malaya at the time, however has denied his involvement through de facto law minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.

The Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) which has launched an investigation into the matter, has slapped a notice on two PKR leaders to compel them to reveal the identity of the sources or face a possible jail term.

ACA should protect sources

In a press conference later, Koh said the ACA's move should not be interpreted as a witchhunt.

"In any investigation, in order to establish the validity (of the evidence), you have to get all the evidence. To reveal (the sources) doesn't mean to reveal it publicly," the Gerakan leader told reporters.

He added that the ACA should protect the sources if the they are willing to come forward, "otherwise it may lead to an impasse".

"If the whistleblowers have evidence, please come forward. If they are victimised for blowing the whistle, we will rally behind them to defend them... definitely we are standing on the side of justice," he stressed.

On his call earlier to the government to consider the setting up of a royal commission, Koh said it was because the government will have to ascertain its next course of action in the event that the clip's authenticity is established.

Asked whether he meant the royal commission should be set up once the clip is found to be authentic, he said: "If they can (establish the authenticity) then there is a need to it (as) it means it involve a larger issues, not just one individual.

"But on the other hand, if (the panel) can't do its job adequately (with the given power), then there may also be a need for a royal commission," Koh said.

Watch the eight-minute video here.