A group of protesters handed over a memorandum to the three-member panel on the 'Lingam tape' controversy today in protest against the panel's inability to inquire into the judicial scandal.

Led by PKR supreme council member Latheefa Koya, about 15 people calling themselves the 'steering committee on free the judiciary' staged the protest at the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) office, where the panel's meeting was held.

Most of those present were PKR members. They held placards and banners with slogans 'the toothless 3 stooges', 'panel of 3 stooges' and 'independent panel, sham and whitewash'.

Another banner, with pictures of three ostriches and the names of the panel members, posed the question 'Where is the evidence?'.

The group was initially not allowed to meet with the panel until Mahadev Shankar intervened and offered three representatives from the group to meet with the panel.

'Decide for yourself'

While Latheefa tried to argue for more representatives to be allowed in, Mahadev told her: "You can decide for yourself, you are welcome to present your memorandum. If you want to give a speech, 10 minutes."

He also said the panel would give its "earnest consideration" to the memorandum.

As the protesters continued to negotiate for more representatives, Mahadev said before returning to the meeting room: "I don't want to shut you out, let us know (your decision)".

The group relented and sent Latheefa, PKR information chief Tian Chua and human rights watchdog representative Eric Paulsen to submit its memorandum.

As the trio emerged from the meeting room, Latheefa said although they were allowed in to present their views within a "strict 10 minutes", there was no response on the issues they raised.

"The only remark was from Haidar (Mohd Noor, the panel chief) who asked us 'how long more are you going to take?'," according to her quoting the former chief judge of Malaya.

In their memorandum, the group reiterated that the panel should recommend to the government to set up a royal commission of inquiry to investigate the issue thoroughly.

The panel's second meeting today, expected to be the last too, was held under strict security.

Journalists and the protesters were all barred from entering the Suhakam office by officials from the Prime Minister's Department, which is the panel's secretariat.

Several policemen were also present to monitor the situation.

The group of protesters held a similar protest on Oct 3 during the panel's first meeting but failed to submit the memorandum.