PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim fielded questions on his readiness now to hand over the full version of the 'Lingam tape' to the Anti-Corruption Agency.

He had earlier said he was only prepared to give the investigation team the eight-minute version that he had released to the media on Sept 19.

Excerpts from his press conference follow.

Journalist: Did the ACA officers explain why they could not keep the appointment?

Anwar: No reason was given. They did ask whether there are a lot of people here and I said there are more journalists than party supporters. We can make way for them and let them come in for 10 minutes (to collect the clip) and leave but the ACA said this (the crowd) is not the problem.

They phoned again later to say the meeting is cancelled. I asked why (and the reply was) "because it was instructed to be cancelled". I asked when (we would meet again) and they said "it will be fixed later". (As for) the evidence, they said I could keep it for now.

Can it be now claimed that you have failed to comply with the ACA notice, as the deadline expires today?

No, I am giving the evidence and I am not telling you what is it. It is meant for the ACA.

Is that the original clip from the source?

I can't disclose. I told the ACA I am giving them what they want, (and) what they requested will be given.

They requested the original 14-minute clip.

Well, you ask them. I have the evidence. What I have and what is requested by the ACA, I will hand over.

Are you going to the ACA office since they are not coming here today?

(Pause) I am not an ACA officer. They want to come and take, and I want to hand over, then they said cancelled...

We need a very certain answer from you. When you said you are giving them "what they want", are you saying you want to give them the 14-minute clip?

Yes, that is between me and them because to me, this thumb drive is only meant for them. I want to see their reaction before I release it to the public.

In other words, you have managed to persuade the two whistleblowers to give the full clip?

I am prepared to give to the ACA what they asked for.

...which is the 14-minute clip?

You ask them what they asked for.

The royal commission of inquiry, which PKR has insisted on all this while, has not been set up. By giving the ACA what they want, are you backing down in the face of the ACA's threat (to take action against you)?

No. My statement continues to call for the royal commission because everyone knows the panel (of inquiry) is not functioning.

How are you going to protect the personal security of the whistleblowers?

The whistleblowers are aware of the risk. Whatever it is, we have been urging and appealing to the highest authority to set up a royal commission, we are not backing down from that, but we also don't want to give an impression we are not giving cooperation (to the authorities).

(Party vice-president) R Sivarasa and (Anwar's aide) Sim Tze Tzin have refused to comply with a similar ACA notice. Why have you departed from this stance?

Siva has said (the full clip) is not with them, it is with me. Siva and Sim do not have this (points to the thumb drive in his hand).

Was your intention to show the clip to the ACA or to allow them to keep it?

I proposed just to show it to them like (de facto law minister) Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz has advised, but they refused to accept Nazri's advice. Of course, I am going to give this (refers to the thumb drive) to them since they asked for it, but I am also keeping some (copies) elsewhere.

So the whistleblowers are aware of the risk and your plan to release the full clip?

Not everything, because some of the decisions I have to make on my own.

Have you received consent from the whistleblowers to release the full clip?

They have been informed.

Did they disagree or agree?

Well, you need to ask them later.

We don't know who they are...

Yes, exactly. At the right time (you will know). This is like a Bollywood movie, there are segments and suspense. In between the songs, there is dancing - (this) is the dancing period (laughs).